The recent Sri Lanka-UAE joint venture between Inovartic Investment Lanka Pvt Limited and Abu Dhabi University (ADU) sets the stage to accelerate the advanced manufacturing of graphene and graphene-based products in Abu Dhabi and Sri Lanka, and it’s more than just an economic partnership. – Rather, it is believed to be a significant step towards positioning the island of Sri Lanka on the map of technological innovation.
Graphene is sometimes referred to as a “wonder material” due to it’s strength and conductivity; It’s said to have the potential to revolutionize certain industries like electronics, healthcare, and transportation.
This collaboration brings together some of the resources of Sri Lanka’s Apex Asia Holdings and the UAE’s Inovartic Investment LLC, further strengthened by the collaboration of the Sri Lanka Institute of Nanotechnology (SLINTEC). The strategic importance of graphene cannot be understated.
According to Repsol, “Graphene stands out for being tough, flexible, light, and with a high resistance. It’s calculated that this material is 200 times more resistant than steel and five times lighter than aluminum. With these properties, graphene has applications in the energy, construction, health, and electronics sectors. For instance, magnetic graphene could transform this electronics industry by making devices more comfortable and accessible for everyone.” – Source: https://www.repsol.com/en/energy-and-the-future/technology-and-innovation/graphene/index.cshtml
Historically, Sri Lanka is said to have long been known for its natural graphite resources, particularly vein graphite, which is said to be unique to the island.
According to a article on TheGrapheneCouncil.org in June 2021, for over about 100 years Sri Lanka is supposed to have been the only country to mine ultra-pure highly crystalline vein graphite with more than 98% of carbon purity in the world – and is said to be renowned for it’s uniqueness and superior quality. – Source: https://www.thegraphenecouncil.org/blogpost/1501180/371806/Sri-Lankan-Vein-Graphite
This partnership certainly echoes some of Emirate’s ambitious goals of becoming a significant tech hub. The UAE has been investing strategically in high-tech industries, a further diversification from it’s oil economy.
From energy storage to sustainable manufacturing, graphene’s potential aligns perfectly with Abu Dhabi’s long-term strategy of innovation-driven growth. Graphene plays a central role in this vision.
The establishment of pre-processing facilities in Sri Lanka to export graphene-based products highlights how both nations are looking beyond just extraction and are moving towards higher-value technological production.
But there’s more to this than just industry talk. With the right nurturing, this venture could position Sri Lanka at the forefront of the global graphene market.
It’s a market expected to grow exponentially in the coming years, particularly in sectors involving energy storage, composites & coatings, bio-medical technologies, and even water/wastewater treatment industries.
For Sri Lanka, one of the routes to success will not be just in capitalising on its natural resources but likely also ensuring it builds the infrastructure for sustained technological research and innovation.
Historically, countries that have focused on building a robust technological ecosystem – think post-war Japan and South Korea – are said to have seen rapid and sustained economic growth.
So could this graphene partnership mark a similar turning point for Sri Lanka?
What we are seeing here is a strategic alignment. The UAE brings its financial muscle and vision of a high-tech future, while Sri Lanka contributes its resources and research capabilities. As this partnership matures, it could be the launching pad for more sophisticated technological advancements, benefiting both countries and cementing their roles in the burgeoning field of advanced materials.
Could this be the groundwork for a future where Sri Lanka isn’t just a source of raw materials, but a leader in the global technology race?
