HB Antwerp and Sarine become technology partners

Antwerp, May 7, 2021 – HB Antwerp, the Antwerp-based data & technology company focusing on diamonds, is partnering with Singapore Exchange Mainboard-listed company Sarine technologies. With this deal, Sarine will be integrated as a technology partner into HB Antwerp’s proprietary ecosystem.

HB Antwerp is focusing on bringing simplicity and transparency to the diamond supply chain. Using data-driven planning, scanning and manufacturing technology, HB Antwerp can authenticate each stage of its value chain, using its own unique block chain and traceability proprietary technologies combined with Sarine’s traceability solution. This allows HB to offer luxury brands and private consumers a customised product.

Under this new partnership, HB Antwerp integrates Sarine in its ecosystem, utilizing Sarine’s industry-leading Galaxy scanning®, planning and AI-grading technologies, which will be fully integrated with HB’s proprietary technologies throughout the process, from rough sourcing to the final polished result.

The partnership aims to demonstrate that transparency and open collaboration can benefit all the stakeholders throughout the value-chain. In addition, the two companies have also agreed to explore co-development of new technologies based on their R&D centres in Israel and Belgium.

HB Antwerp will remunerate Sarine based on a percentage of the value of the produced polished diamonds.

Mr. Rafael Papismedov, HB Antwerp’s Strategy Director, commented, “HB Antwerp and Sarine have a solid foundation for cooperation, given Sarine’s advanced technological solutions, which helps to serve HB Antwerp’s vision for streamlining the supply-chain and providing the end consumers with the quality products they desire, along with the transparency and confidence they demand. Both parties have a common vision and are determined to leverage this cooperation to enhance consumer confidence while providing the highest quality products for leading diamond brands.”

David Block, Sarine Group CEO, remarked, “HB Antwerp’s initiative is a significant step towards the much-needed optimization of the diamond industry value chain. This new paradigm combining producers, manufacturers and retailers underpinned by the latest technologies has the potential to revolutionize our industry. We are proud to be a partner in this new paradigm and are very excited about the potential of this new and innovative initiative. “