The UAE Circular Economy Council has inaugurated the Lootah Biofuels plant in Dubai Industrial City, which will serve as an innovative model for converting cooking oil into biofuel for use in energy production.
Leveraging agreements with public and private sector entities in the food and hospitality sectors, the Lootah Biofuels factory collects used cooking oil, treats it, and converts it into biodiesel using the latest international technologies at a competitive price compared to regular diesel.
The launch of the new plant and the consequent increase in biodiesel production capacity by 100 tons per day will help the UAE achieve its goal of obtaining five percent of transportation fuel from food waste and non-renewable resources.
This project is a model of efficient integrated waste management and will contribute to fast-tracking the nationwide transition to a circular economy.
Abdulla bin Touq Al Marri UAE Minister of Economy
“Promoting the enablers of the circular economy transition in the UAE through close cooperation 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, proposing solutions, and developing the necessary policies to consolidate the UAE’s position as a leading global example of leveraging the circular economy as one of the engines of sustainable economic growth during the next stage. The Lootah Biofuels factory serves as an innovative model of converting cooking oil into biofuel for use in energy production and enhances endeavors 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).”
Ms. Mariam bint Mohammed Almheiri, UAE Minister of Climate Change and the Environment, said that, “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.”
“The Lootah Biofuels plant represents a remarkable model of the 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,” Ms. Almheiri added.
Yousif Saeed Lootah, Chairman of Lootah Biofuels, noted that “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.”
Mr. Lootah further 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.
