UAE-based Lootah Group, a leading business conglomerate with special interests in the construction, real estate, energy, food and hospitality sectors, has announced that its key subsidiary, Lootah Biofuels, has opened a new plant in Dubai Industrial City.

 

The launch of the new factory was celebrated at the third meeting of the UAE Circular Economy Council, chaired by Mariam bint Mohammed Almheiri, Minister of Climate Change and the Environment.

 

The Emirati group said Lootah Biofuels factory serves as an innovative model of converting cooking oil into biofuel for use in energy production and enhances endeavours to shift towards more sustainable energy and create new economic opportunities that advance the country’s transition to a more flexible and diversified economic model based on knowledge and innovation, and support the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

 

The launch of the new plant and the consequent increase in biodiesel production capacity by 100 tonnes per day will help the UAE achieve its goal of obtaining five percent of transportation fuel from food waste and non-renewable resources, it stated. 

 

This project is a model of efficient integrated waste management and will contribute to fast-tracking the nationwide transition to a circular economy, it added.

 

Speaking on the occasion, Almheiri said: "The transition to a circular economy contributes to driving sustainable economic development in line with the UAE’s vision, which ensures continued growth while protecting the environment and preserving natural resources, in addition to supporting the efforts to reduce emissions and to achieve net zero."

 

"Innovative solutions play a key role in accelerating the shift. The Lootah Biofuels plant represents a remarkable model of practical application of circularity principles, and a prime example of active participation of the private sector in achieving the UAE’s goal of developing a circular economy," she stated.

 

The launch ceremony was attended by senior ministers including Abdullah bin Touq Al Marri, Minister of Economy, Dr Thani bin Ahmed Al Zeyoudi, Minister of State for Foreign Trade, Omar bin Sultan Al Olama, Minister of State for Artificial Intelligence, Digital Economy, and Remote Work Applications as well as Khaled Al Huraimel, CEO of Beeah and Ibrahim Al-Zu’bi, Chief Sustainability Officer at Majid Al Futtaim Holding.

 

Al Marri said: "Promoting the enablers of the circular economy transition in the UAE through close co-operation between the public and private sectors is one of the main tracks led by the UAE Circular Economy Council, which is based on a real partnership with the country’s private sector aimed at exploring opportunities and proposing solutions."

 

Dr Al Zeyoudi stressed that continued efforts to implement the UAE Circular Economy Policy 2021-2031 will consolidate the country’s position as a global economic hub and a preferred destination for foreign investors looking for rewarding prospects in existing future economy sectors that are based on knowledge and innovation and take into account sustainability and conservation of natural resources.

 

They expand the infrastructure of this promising sector, and provide incentives to the private sector to shift to clean industrial production methods using artificial intelligence (AI) and Fourth Industrial Revolution (4IR) solutions he stated.

 

Dr Al Zeyoudi pointed out that this launch was possible due to the immense co-operation between the public and private sectors for achieving national goals.

 

In his address, Al Olama said: "Adopting a new economic model in the country will create new exceptional opportunities by stimulating innovation, increasing competitiveness, and driving growth, which enhances quality of life for the current and future generations."

 

On the new venture, Chairman Yousif Saeed Lootah said: "The circular economy drives the adoption of efficient and responsible production and consumption patterns, and provides ample opportunities for growth and prosperity for companies that uphold sustainable values and practices, such as Lootah Biofuels."

 

Lootah added that the government’s support for leading projects motivates and empowers young people to achieve their aspirations and contribute to the national agenda in innovative ways. 

 

He also highlighted the company’s keenness to participate in building youth capacities by providing training opportunities.

 

Meanwhile, in a major boost to the UAE's sustainability efforts, the Ministry of Climate Change and Environment has signed an agreement with Union Cement to partially use alternative fuels produced by the Emirates RDF municipal solid waste (MSW) treatment plant in Umm Al Quwain. 

 

The move is part of the ministry’s efforts to boost the participation of the private sector in reducing greenhouse gas emissions, implementing circular economy principles, and developing an integrated waste management system.-TradeArabia News Service