UAE: First food-grade plastic recycling plant to create jobs, help promote circular economy

UAE: First food-grade plastic recycling plant to create jobs, help promote circular economy

The facility in Abu Dhabi will help avoid the emission of 18,000 metric tons of CO2 annually at full operating capacity

By A Staff Reporter Published: Thu 19 Jan 2023, 2:57 PM

A new food-grade plastic recycling facility will be established in the UAE to help build a more sustainable, efficient and competitive industrial sector.

The Ministry of Industry and Advanced Technology (MoIAT) on Thursday said it oversaw the signing of a memorandum of understanding (MoU) at Abu Dhabi Sustainability Week (ADSW), which will lay the groundwork for this new plastic recycling plant in the country.

Under the plans, a 12,000 tons per annum polyethylene terephthalate (PET) recycling plant has been earmarked for Abu Dhabi. 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 meter facility in Abu Dhabi could create 100 jobs and avoid the emission of 18,000 metric tons 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