The plant will covert around 500,000 tonnes of waste into SAF per year, using a hybrid production pathway that combines renewable energy-powered electrolysis producing green hydrogen and waste gasification turning syngas into SAF through various proven chemical processes.
Mohamed Jameel Al Ramahi, CEO at Masdar, said the project will advance the UAE’s profile in sustainable aviation, supporting the growth of a sector critical to the nation’s economic development, while driving its decarbonisation.
Ali Al Dhaheri, Managing Director and CEO of Tadweer, said it aims to showcase the “incredible potential of waste” and set a benchmark for sustainable transformation worldwide.
© Masdar
Once operational, the project is expected to serve multiple markets, positioning Abu Dhabi as a regional hub for SAF and supporting the decarbonisation of a sector that accounted for over 18% of the UAE’s GDP in 2023, according to IATA data.
SAF has the potential to reduce lifecycle carbon emissions by up to 80% compared with conventional jet fuel, according to IATA estimates, but scaling hinges on competitive pricing.
A recent report from PA Consulting found producers need to agree ‘creative solutions with buyers’ that keep costs low while assuring a minimum return.
But through government mandates and wide range of corporate partnerships, the market is gaining momentum.
Energy company Phillips 66 has signed a contract to supply global logistics company DHL Express with 240,000 tonnes of sustainable aviation fuel from its Rodeo renewable energy complex in California.
Houston-based Syzygy Plasmonics and Honeywell UOP claimed they have cracked the cost and feedstock challenges that have so far held back SAF scaling.
A technology developed by California-based Universal Fuel Technologies (Unifuel) that upgrades renewable feedstocks into SAF has advanced through the initial qualification process which will support the fuel’s entry to commercial aviation markets.
Honeywell, Johnson Matthey, Gidara Energy and Samsung E&A formed a strategic technology alliance in June for producing SAF from biomass and municipal solid waste.