Dana Gas starts graphene production at Sharjah Graphene Complex

Dana Gas started graphene production at Sharjah complex, following the successful launch of the LOOP 20 unit

Dana Gas, in collaboration with UK-based advanced materials specialist Levidian, started graphene production at the Sharjah Graphene Complex, following the successful launch of the first "LOOP 20" unit.

The company said in a statement to ADX that the unit started operating at full capacity, with an annual production rate exceeding 1 ton of high-quality graphene. This follows four months after the signing of a memorandum of understanding between the two companies to develop the complex.

Dana Gas and Levidian started discussions with potential customers in the UAE and GCC regarding long-term graphene supply agreements, while a number of major local potential clients are currently testing Levidian’s graphene.

The initial phase of the project, built around the "LOOP 20" unit, involves an investment of less than $1 million, targeting the launch of commercial production and stimulating regional demand for graphene.

Dana Gas is now working with Levidian on the project’s next phase, as additional "LOOP 60" and "LOOP 100" units are being manufactured in the UK. These units are expected to lift annual output to over 10 tons by end-2026, bringing total capital investment up to $2.5 million.

The project remains scalable with future increases in production and potential total investments reaching up to $50 million. Further investment will depend on commercial viability, including having long-term contractual commitments from customers and achieving suitable investment returns.

Levidian’s LOOP technology uses microwave plasma to decompose methane and produce hydrogen gas and solid carbon as high-quality graphene.

Dana Gas plans to develop the Sharjah Graphene Complex into the largest graphene facility in the GCC and among the world’s first sites to produce industrial-scale quantities of graphene directly from methane. The company is also said to weigh solar power projects and other green energy initiatives at the complex.

Dana Gas signed an MoU with Levidian in May to produce graphene at the Sharjah Graphene Complex, with initial project investments estimated between $2 million and $5 million, rising to between $5 million and $50 million in the early expansion phase. Total investments could exceed $50 million as the project evolves, depending on market demand.