First Food-Grade Plastic Recycling Plant: UAE

The MoU will lay the groundwork for a new plastic recycling facility in the UAE.

Under the plans, a 12,000-tonnes-per-annum polyethylene terephthalate (PET) recycling plant has been earmarked for Abu Dhabi.

According to the report, in line with the UAE’s efforts to reduce plastic pollution and boost trade through the export of recycled materials, the plant will recycle PET, a plastic material that is used in food packaging, such as plastic water bottles.

The 40,000 square metre facility in Abu Dhabi could create 100 jobs and avoid the emission of 18,000 metric tonnes of CO2 annually at full operating capacity.

The MoU to study the feasibility of the project, which involves Repeet, BEEAH Group, and Agthia, was signed in the presence of Sheikha Shamma bint Sultan bin Khalifa Al Nahyan, Executive Director of the UAE Independent Climate Change Accelerators (UICCA), Dr. Sultan bin Ahmed Al Jaber, Minister of Industry and Advanced Technology, and Mariam bint Mohammed Almheiri, Minister of Climate Change and the Environment, who mentioned the report.

Omar Al Suwaidi, Under-Secretary of MoIAT, said, "Collaboration is the key driver behind the shift towards a more sustainable industrial sector and a greener economy."

He added, "Accordingly, the ministry focuses on facilitating partnerships between stakeholders, including financial institutions, national industrial companies, and global corporations, to support GDP growth and the UAE’s net zero strategic initiative."

"As COP28 gets closer, the ministry will keep spreading the word about the important projects that are part of the national industrial strategy."

"For instance, we will utilise Make it in the Emirates to attract international investors and companies to engage with the UAE’s industrial sector to help us unlock the opportunities associated with industrial transformation and the circular economy,"  Al Suwaidi said.

"These opportunities will ultimately help to build a more sustainable, efficient, and competitive industrial sector, supporting not only the national economy but also the global climate agenda," Al Suwaidi added.

The MoU was signed by Repeet, a subsidiary of Veolia Middle East, BEEAH Group, a sustainability leader in the UAE, and the F&B conglomerate Agthia.

In the frame of the project under study, Repeet would operate the recycling plant, while BEEAH Group would supply a seven-year feedstock of plastics.

Meanwhile, Agthia would provide a seven-year offtake for products. The feedstock will be post-consumer PET bottle bales, while the offtakes will be food-grade recycled PET resin.

Following the signing, Khaled Al Huraimel, Group CEO of BEEAH Group, said, "Aligning closely with the national vision and contributing to the UAE’s sustainability targets have been the driving force for our organisation as we develop and implement circular economy solutions through our waste management business."

"We can further support the UAE’s sustainability agenda and accelerate the circular economy through this agreement." "We are honoured to partner with MoIAT, Repeet, and Veolia to tackle the important issue of plastic pollution and make a positive impact together on a larger scale," Al Huraimel added.

This partnership is in line with a recent ministerial decree from MoIAT that regulates the trade of recycled plastic water bottles.

The goal is to make it easier to make water bottles out of recycled plastic that meet high standards for public health and food safety.

With time, more local water bottlers are likely to get on board with the circular economy and start using more and more recycled plastic in their packaging.

This is expected to save and avoid 50,000 metric tonnes of CO2, increase national in-country value by AED 150 million per year, and create more than 1000 jobs.

According to the report, MoIAT works closely with industry stakeholders, such as financial institutions, to use incentives and enablers to create an environment that is good for business and attracts investors.

As part of the UAE's national industrial strategy, the ministry has put in place a number of programmes and initiatives that support the long-term growth of priority sectors and help the country's economy become more diverse.

The ministry has a sizeable presence at ADSW, which takes place this week in the run-up to COP28.

As the report concluded, ADSW provides an opportunity for the global community to turn ambition into action by forging partnerships, committing investment, and launching technologies and solutions that can accelerate sustainable development around the world.