Besix, a pioneer in sustainable waste solutions and a key player in the region’s energy transition, has signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with Dubai Municipality, Emirates National Oil Company (Enoc) and Japanese group Marubeni for a project that will eliminate landfilling.

The project, part of the UAE’s plans to achieve ‘Net Zero’ by 2050, will focus on the production of Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) by processing municipal solid waste (MSW) in Dubai.

As an industrial equity provider, Besix combines its construction expertise with waste management technologies, facilitating the synthesis of diverse contributions towards SAF conversion.

The collaboration with Enoc and Marubeni, both renowned for their strength, ambitions, and expertise, is pivotal to ensuring the success of this joint venture.

Dubai Municipality anchors the initiative, providing resources including MSW, energy for SAF conversion, and land for facility development, demonstrating its commitment to sustainability and a shared vision for a better world. Besix will ensure compliance with new regulations on renewable fuels impacting the aviation industry, said its senior officials at the signing ceremony held in the presence of Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum, President of the Dubai Civil Aviation Authority and CEO and Chairman of the Emirates Group.

On the strategic tie-up, Peter Lembrechts, General Manager at Besix Middle East, said: “This consortium is a testament to the power of collaboration in catalysing meaningful change. Together, the collective aim is ambitious: to eliminate landfilling, achieve “UAE Net Zero” by 2050, support the National Hydrogen Strategy, and ensure compliance with new regulations on renewable fuels impacting the aviation industry.”

“SAF plays a pivotal role in shaping the energy landscape of tomorrow, and it comes as no surprise that the Emirate of Dubai and the UAE stand at the forefront of this transformative endeavour,” he added.

Dubai Municipality’s Director General Dawood Abdulrahman Al Hajiri said this collaboration would revolutionise the aviation industry. “Through our shared expertise and dedication, we are shaping a future where sustainability is not just a goal but a way of life, firmly establishing Dubai as a beacon of innovation and environmental stewardship,” he added.