MENA Steering committee meeting

Nov 14, 2025

Summary

This session provided an in-depth overview of the Middle East supplementary cementitious materials (SCM) market, current innovations, and IDAIC MENA’s strategic roadmap. Stakeholders discussed challenges and opportunities in scaling SCMs, policy alignment, workshop planning for 2026, and broader advocacy efforts for AI and decarbonization. The discussion emphasized the importance of practical implementation, regional market context, and clear positioning of IDAIC in the MENA ecosystem.

Key Takeaways

Middle East SCM Context

• Traditional SCM approaches need adaptation in the Gulf due to lack of natural SCMs like fly ash or slag.
• UAE exploring alternatives such as calcined clays and waste-derived materials for cement replacement.
• Cement market dynamics in Saudi Arabia show significant overcapacity:
  • 85M tons capacity vs. 50M tons consumption
  • Creates space for greener materials

Technological Innovations

• LC3 (Limestone Calcined Clay Cement):
  • Gaining traction in Europe but faces challenges in Gulf due to clay availability and fuel-intensive processing.
• Material Activation Alternatives:
  • Uses electrical energy and carbon capture integration for reduced emissions.
• EGA–RedMot Collaboration:
  • Utilizing aluminum slag as SCM
  • $0.18/ton cost with up to 50% clinker replacement potential

2026 Workshop Planning

SCM & Circularity Workshop (January 14–16, 2026):

• Full-day event focused on practical application
• Targeting ready mix firms, developers, and policy advisors
• Venue: DIFC (confirmation pending)
• Policy Workshop (July 2026):
  • Linking policy to building codes and ESG regulations
  • Targeted at specific asset classes
• Other Proposed Workshops:
  • Internal strategic planning (timing TBD)
  • AI & Decarbonization (Fall 2026, possibly aligned with GITEX)

IDAIC MENA Development

• Portal Now Live:
  • Features: Member profiles, event tools, auto content sharing
  • Self-service access and email-based verification
• Membership & Governance:
  • Need for voting mechanisms and additional AI company members
  • Press release pending to announce MENA chapter
• Advocacy Role:
  • Debate on whether IDAIC should take formal industry positions
  • Requires alignment with Chris and possible consensus-driven comms
  • Opportunity to differentiate from passive industry groups

Next Steps

• Amr: Share workshop context and presentation materials
• Team: Confirm availability in December for internal planning session
• Team: Align with Chris on IDAIC’s advocacy stance
• Team: Finalize and launch press release for MENA chapter once member list is complete