UAE/HYDERABAD: Indian technology entrepreneur and global business strategist Sundeep Kumar Makthala, Chairman & Managing Director of RI Advanced Materials, is positioning the company for expansion in the UAE, with a vision to build a regional platform focused on Graphene, Advanced Materials, R&D, manufacturing and global commercialisation. The initiative aligns with the UAE’s Operation 300bn industrial vision to raise the industrial sector’s contribution to GDP to AED 300 billion by 2031, with a strong focus on advanced technology, innovation, research and future industries.
As part of the expansion, Makthala and his team have undertaken strategic engagements across Sharjah and Ras Al Khaimah, exploring the UAE’s research, innovation and industrial ecosystems. At the Sharjah Research, Technology and Innovation Park (SPARK), the team was welcomed by the SPARK leadership and explored collaboration opportunities in Graphene, Advanced Materials, research commercialisation and next-generation manufacturing, including applications in energy storage, water treatment and desalination, advanced coatings, construction materials and other industries. SPARK also highlighted opportunities to connect research, prototyping, industrial use cases, commercialisation and market access through its wider academic and innovation ecosystem, including partnerships with leading UAE universities. The team also engaged with the Ras Al Khaimah ecosystem, including RAKEZ, to explore infrastructure, manufacturing, investment and other requirements. The UAE-wide exploration is continuing, with different emirates being evaluated for RI Advanced Materials centres and production activities.
Graphene is one of RI Advanced Materials’ initial focus areas, with potential applications across electronics, semiconductors, energy storage, hydrogen, coatings, construction, ceramics and other advanced industries. The company’s broader vision covers advanced carbon materials, nanomaterials, graphite, quartz, silica, feldspar, silicon-related materials and advanced coatings. Dr. Rajendra Prasad Joshi, scientist and Strategic Technology Advisor to RI Advanced Materials, brings expertise in Graphene, nanomaterials and materials research, while BiyyaniRavindar, CMO of RI Advanced Materials, brings experience in mining and strategic mineral resources. The company plans a phased UAE growth model, beginning with an R&D Centre and Centre of Excellence, with university and research-institution collaborations being explored from September 2026. The next phase will involve specialised machinery deployment to the UAE, expected to take approximately six to eight months, followed by initial production. The company then plans to expand production capabilities across other emirates and regions, creating a multi-location manufacturing network closer to local and regional markets, with the long-term roadmap extending to 2031.
Dr. Rajendra Prasad Joshi said: “I met Sundeep Makthala on July 10 in Haldwani. In less than a month, he has moved from discussions to establishing RI Advanced Materials and taking the UAE expansion forward. His speed, clarity and execution are commendable.”
BiyyaniRavindar said: “In a very short time, Sundeep has brought together technology, Advanced Materials and mineral-resource expertise into a clear UAE expansion vision. I see significant opportunities for this ecosystem in the UAE and global markets.”
“Our vision is to connect advanced technology, scientific research, strategic resources and manufacturing with global markets from the UAE. Graphene is one of the key focus areas, and we see significant opportunities to build a strong Advanced Materials ecosystem here,” said Sundeep Makthala, Chairman & Managing Director of RI Advanced Materials. Makthala invites technology companies, Graphene researchers, manufacturers, investors, universities, research institutions and strategic partners from across the global Graphene ecosystem to explore collaboration and business opportunities with RI Advanced Materials in the UAE and international markets.
