MENA Biofuels advances UAE’s 1st commercial SAF plant in Fujairah
- MENA Biofuels
- 1 hour ago
- 4 min read
One year after unveiling the concept at ADIPEC 2024, MENA Biofuels, of the independent energy and commodities trading group the Mercantile & Maritime Group, announced Nov. 4 that it has now formally begun implementation of the United Arab Emirates’ first sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) production facility in the Fujairah Oil Industry Zone.
The facility will convert used cooking oil (UCO) and waste-based feedstocks into certified SAF meeting international standards.
Phase 1 will produce 125 million liters (33 million gallons) per year, around 18 percent of the UAE’s 2030 target, while Phase 2 will double capacity to 250 million liters (66 million gallons) per year, supporting regional exports and contributing up to 36 percent of the nation’s SAF goal.
The planned investment for Phase 1 is USD$200 million and additional USD$100 million for Phase 2, making a total investment of USD$300 million.
The project represents a major contribution and step forward in the UAE’s “Sustainable Aviation Fuel Roadmap 2030” and “Net Zero 2050 Agenda.”
First introduced at ADIPEC 2024 in alignment with the nation’s vision to expand sustainable fuel production, MENA Biofuels has since progressed from concept to implementation, moving decisively towards execution, the company stated.
Over the past year it has completed a comprehensive feasibility study validating the project’s economic viability and set the foundation for progressing the project to realization.
The project has:
Secured the lease of land adjacent to MENA Terminals from the government of Fujairah.
Appointed Dynatron FZE, a UAE engineering-consulting firm, to act as project manager.
Completed detailed topographic and hydrological surveys carried out by UAE-based consulting firms.
Selected an internationally recognized technology provider for the process to convert waste-based feedstocks into certified SAF.
Robert Wright, former CEO of the European Biofuels Association, has been contracted to provide advice on policy and regulation matters, and the Fujairah branch of MUC Engineering has been appointed to carry out an environmental-impact assessment study as well as provide Project NOC consulting services.
At ADIPEC 2025, MENA Biofuels advanced its commercial implementation through the signing of strategic offtake memorandum of understanding (MOU) with Emirates Petroleum Co. (Emarat), a pioneer in the UAE’s oil-and-gas industry.
In addition, MENA Biofuels said it is the intention to sign a similar MOU at the upcoming Dubai Air Show.
The agreements set the foundation for UAE production of SAF, marking a key step in advancing the nation’s objectives.
Building on this momentum, MENA Biofuels has launched the first of two engineering, procurement and construction and commissioning (EPCC) tenders for the Fujairah SAF facility, inviting qualified international and regional contractors with proven experience in renewable fuel and industrial projects to participate.
The first EPCC package will cover the receiving, storage and distribution facilities for feedstock, SAF and byproducts, establishing the project’s logistical backbone.
Within the first quarter of 2026, MENA Biofuels said it will issue the second EPCC tender, covering the SAF refinery process units and associated infrastructure, marking a major step toward full-scale implementation of the UAE’s first SAF plant.
The project continues to move from vision to execution, positioning the UAE as a regional hub for SAF production and ensuring SAF supply from Fujairah to the UAE, Gulf Cooperation Council and international markets.
“Building a homegrown SAF ecosystem requires investors, technology and distributors pulling in one direction,” said Emarat CEO H.E. Ali Khalifa Al Shamsi. “With Emarat’s agreement with MENA Biofuels, intent becomes supply—accelerated volumes from Fujairah, certified and locally produced, giving airlines a credible path to decarbonize. By backing a UAE-built SAF stream in FOIZ, we are creating domestic capacity that carriers can count on—advancing the SAF Roadmap 2030 and the nation’s Net Zero 2050 ambition while keeping value, jobs and know-how in the UAE. Twelve months from concept to implementation sends a clear signal that the UAE is serious about sustainable aviation fuel, and Emarat is committed to turning that momentum into dependable offtake and real emissions reductions.”
Captain Salem Al Afkham, FOIZ director, added, “The launch of the UAE’s first SAF plant here in Fujairah marks a defining milestone for both the emirate and the nation. As the first project of its kind in Fujairah and the UAE, it reflects our shared commitment to the net-zero 2050 strategy and the transition toward more sustainable energy sources. We are proud to be part of this achievement, which represents a new chapter in Fujairah’s energy journey. This project moves Fujairah closer to its strategic ambition of diversifying its energy mix beyond conventional hydrocarbons and into cleaner, higher-value fuels. It also aligns with the emirate’s and the UAE’s vision of fostering in-market value creation—bringing together investment, innovation and industrial capacity to build long-term economic and environmental resilience. As this and similar projects take shape, FOIZ continues to evolve from one of the world’s top-three oil storage and bunkering hubs into a fully integrated energy ecosystem—one where processing capacity and advanced technologies are leveraged to convert feedstocks into higher-value, more sustainable fuels. This transformation strengthens Fujairah’s role as a vital contributor to the region’s clean-fuels landscape and underscores our ongoing commitment to supporting the UAE’s broader energy transition.”
H.E Mohamed Saeed Al-Raqbani, the chairman of MENA Biofuels, said, “We are proud to see MENA Biofuels progress from announcement to implementation in just one year. This project directly supports the UAE’s Sustainable Aviation Fuel Roadmap 2030 and embodies our commitment to advancing clean energy through industrial investment and strategic partnerships.”
MENA Biofuels CEO Gati Al-Jebouri added, “By leveraging Fujairah’s infrastructure and aligning with the UAE’s SAF roadmap, MENA Biofuels is aiming to become a regional leader in clean aviation fuel.”
