Abu Dhabi-based Alliances for Global Sustainability (AGS) has announced its partnership with Veolia to establish the most advanced food-grade polyethylene terephthalate (PET) recycling plant in the GCC region.

The 14,000 tonne capacity plant is being backed by a number of entities including Abu Dhabi’s Environment Agency, Tadweer and Kizad, and will be located in the  Khalifa Industrial Zone Abu Dhabi (Kizad). The recycling plant will be capable of using advanced sorting technologies, coupled with a high-performance washing line.

AGS stated the project will fully integrate Abu Dhabi and the UAE’s ambitious waste management strategy which aims to divert waste from landfill, enhance recycling, and promote a circular economy. It will also have a state-of-the-art extrusion process for sorting, shredding and washing the PET, before it is melted into regenerated raw material that can be used for F&B packaging.

The recycling plant will boost Abu Dhabi’s circular economy while providing innovative solutions to the global sustainability sector, AGS added.

Sheikha Shamma bint Sultan bin Khalifa Al Nahyan, CEO, AGS, said that through the development of this innovative facility, AGS aims to help consolidate Abu Dhabi’s position as a leader within the sustainability sector, while also further enabling a circular economy and encouraging habitual recycling.

“The economic impact of developing and operating this facility will be realised through both job creation and further opportunities in the emirate’s waste management sector. The results of this will showcase lucrative investment opportunities in Abu Dhabi to global markets,” he noted.

“Aligning with Abu Dhabi’s Environment Vision, the UAE’s Green Agenda and the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals, this state-of-the-art facility will support sustainable development not only here in Abu Dhabi but throughout the UAE and GCC,” she concluded.