UAE plans the first food-grade plastic recycling plant

UAE plans the first food-grade plastic recycling plant

The latest government initiative will help promote a circular economy and growth of sustainable industries

Dr Sultan Ahmed Al Jaber, Minister of Industry and Advanced Technology. — Supplied photo

Published: Thu 19 Jan 2023, 3:38 PM Last updated: Thu 19 Jan 2023, 3:42 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 tonnes 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 metres 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