PETRONAS leverages graphene, an advanced material of Nobel Prize fame, to meet decarbonisation goals
PETRONAS Research Sdn Bhd in Bangi, Selangor, is the beating heart of innovation.
IN keeping with its target towards achieving net zero carbon emissions by 2050, global energy company PETRONAS continues to intensify its efforts as a major force behind Malaysia’s decarbonisation drive – focusing on innovation, technology and partnerships to further develop low-carbon energy solutions.
The call to innovate for sustainability and act sustainably is prevalent across the organisation that has a reach spanning over 100 countries.
Advancing innovations for sustainability
Research and development is key to realising climate action. At PETRONAS, the pulse of it all is in its research facility in Bangi, Selangor, where over 500 scientists and technologists work collectively towards the common goal of advancing technologies for sustainability.
Many game-changing innovations have been developed in-house. In fact, PETRONAS has over 300 commercialised technologies and 4,000 intellectual properties ready as solutions for customers and stakeholders.
PETRONAS’ innovations not only support the company’s delivery of energy and solutions, but also propel partners and stakeholders toward their business and sustainability goals.
Engineered to tackle business pain points and meet gaping needs, these innovations not only fuel PETRONAS in delivery of energy offerings, but also propel its industry partners towards their business and sustainability goals.
Advanced materials is one of the fields in focus, studying materials specifically engineered to have new or enhanced properties for superior targeted performance.
One that shows exciting prospects is graphene, the material experimented on by two scientists that led them to the Nobel Prize in Physics in 2010.
Graphene is a single layer of carbon atom, tiny in size (a million times thinner than the human hair) but exhibiting extreme strength – 200 times stronger than steel.
Graphene is a single layer of carbon atom a million times thinner than a human hair but exhibits extreme strength (200 times stronger than steel).
Just like carbon, graphene on its own has little use, but it can be turned into formulations serving a myriad of purposes including increasing performance and durability.
'Innovation is a culture across PETRONAS,' says PETRONAS project delivery and technology senior vice president Datuk Bacho Pilong.
“Graphene and other advanced materials have exhibited properties that are the solution to a range of pain points faced by the energy industry and beyond. They may well be the answer many are looking for to facilitate a just energy transition,” says PETRONAS project delivery and technology senior vice president Datuk Bacho Pilong.
“PETRONAS aspires to be a leading edge solutions partner in advanced materials-based formulations to future-proof industries.
In line with circular economy, PETRONAS looks at producing graphene from coke, a byproduct from refinery. Image shows a coke-to-graphene reactor.
Graphene powder produced from coke, a byproduct from refinery.
“Also, in line with circular economy, we are looking at producing graphene from coke, which is a byproduct from one of our refineries.”
Proprietary, impactful, versatile solutions
One of PETRONAS’ graphene solutions is ProShield+, a coating additive so versatile that it can be added to major paint systems.
ProShield+ deployed at a PETRONAS platform’s vessel landing area, for integrity and sustainability of assets against naturally testing environments while ensuring better workers’ safety.
ProShield+ can double the average lifespan of surface coating to last up to 16 years with remarkable resistance to corrosion and external impact. This significantly cuts down maintenance needs and carbon footprints for any asset.
‘What’s interesting about advanced materials is that their attractive properties can be engineered to suit a whole host of different applications,’ says PETRONAS chief technology officer Dr Nasir Darman.
“The research into advanced materials is prompted by the need to ensure the integrity and sustainability of our assets, many of which operate in high pressure, high temperature, and corrosion-prone environments,” says PETRONAS chief technology officer Dr Nasir Darman.
“What’s interesting about advanced materials is that their attractive properties can be exploited in any number of ways by engineering them to suit a whole host of different applications. They are not exclusive to a particular industry, nor limited to applications.”
PETRONAS’ graphene-based formulations are in various stages towards commercialisation. The products have entered various markets via industry collaborations, as well as yielded keen interest from potential customers and stakeholders through active engagements.
One of PETRONAS’ graphene formulations can be incorporated into battery cells to increase performance and lifecycle – a much-needed boost as demand for electrification rises.
Graphene is not just for industry uses; it enriches consumers’ everyday life too.
When incorporated into lithium-ion batteries, it acts like an instant impetus that boosts the battery’s performance, lifecycle and thermal dissipation ability.
This unique formulation by PETRONAS is set to satisfy the increasing demand for better, efficient and compact batteries in view of the rise of electrification, as the energy transition accelerates.
PETRONAS’ graphene formulation for composites can be sprayed on any commercially-available carbon or glass fibre to markedly enhance mechanical properties.
Graphene has also unlocked new possibilities in composites. PETRONAS’ graphene formulation for composites can be sprayed on any commercially available carbon or glass fibre to markedly enhance mechanical properties.
Offering superior durability, this solution reduces composites’ weight (less material usage is required) and minimises surface deformation despite exposure to temperature.
Essentially, this formulation strengthens structures and extends assets’ lifespan, potentially benefiting various industries. It is already making inroads into the automotive industry and is poised for more ventures.
“At PETRONAS, we innovate to enrich lives. We scrutinise pain points and we proffer the most cost-effective solutions through expansive research, leading edge expertise and most importantly, a passion to bring forth a better tomorrow for all,” says Nasir.
Long-term commitment to sustainability
As the world shifts to a more sustainable one, PETRONAS recognises the responsibility to balance the risks of climate change with the mandate to produce affordable and reliable energy in a sustainable manner.
Its four-pronged approach to its low-carbon goals covers operational excellence, low carbon energy and solutions, technology and innovation, and carbon offset.
Among the areas the company is focusing on include enabling commercial production or hydrogen with PETRONAS proprietary electrolyser; carbon capture, utilisation and storage (CCUS) technologies by looking at potentially establishing a regional storage hub; remote and autonomous operations by leveraging robotics and digital twins to minimise carbon footprints while maximising safety, as well as expansion in renewables, specialty chemicals, and circular economy.
Bacho notes that the portfolio growth is in line with PETRONAS’ targets set to move the needle in value creation, expansion into non-traditional business and net zero carbon emissions.
“Innovation has become a culture across PETRONAS. We passionately pursue innovation stewardship and always have a thirst for better solutions, for PETRONAS to evolve into an energy ‘superstore’ offering safe, responsible, cost-optimised and emission-abated energy and solutions that power businesses and fuels progress,” he says.
The group also has strategic partnerships with academia, regulators, local start-ups and international tech giants while nurturing talents, to escalate these innovations’ adoption and maturity, and mobilise holistic momentum for sustainability.
The push for innovation continues, undergirded by a conducive ecosystem to pursue excellence, driven by the desire to fortify the Malaysian legacy – not only as a powerhouse of quality energy offerings for the world, but also a frontrunner in technology that delivers a sustainable future.
