Gulf Cryo and RAK Ceramics have inaugurated the UAE’s first Carbon Capture and Utilisation (CCU) plant, which is dedicated to producing high-purity CO₂. This initiative is said to align with the UAE’s Net Zero 2050 initiative.
The new plant, owned and operated by Gulf Cryo, captures CO2 from RAK Ceramics’ emissions and transforms it into a valuable product used by various industries across the nation, including food and beverage, healthcare, agriculture, and energy. This project reflects the shared commitment of both companies to advancing industrial sustainability in the UAE and forms a crucial component of RAK Ceramics’ strategic decarbonisation roadmap, said a statement.
Inaugurated by Saqr bin Saud Al Qasimi, Chairman of RAK Ceramics, alongside Sami Huneidi, Chief Administrative Officer of Gulf Cryo, and senior executives from both companies, the carbon capture facility is said to be the first in the UAE that is dedicated to producing 99.99% pure, food-grade CO2 for the merchant market.
Capturing approximately 17,000 metric tons of CO₂ annually from RAK Ceramics’ natural-gas engines, the process is complex due to the low CO₂ concentration in the emissions. Gulf Cryo has successfully integrated an energy-efficient purification process that converts emissions into clean, liquefied CO₂. The company then distributes this CO₂ to local industries.
Previously, Gulf Cryo imported recovered CO₂ from its carbon recovery facilities in Kuwait and Saudi Arabia. The new plant strengthens the UAE’s circular carbon economy and contributes to Ras Al Khaimah’s Integrated Sustainability Strategy 2050, said a statement.
“At Gulf Cryo, we are committed to driving the carbon economy, continuously expanding our capacities to provide a reliable source of CO₂ for both existing markets and emerging technologies that rely on it as a key resource. We extend our deep appreciation to RAK Ceramics for being an integral partner in the decarbonisation journey and for demonstrating clear leadership in driving private-sector sustainability,” said Huneidi.
Abdallah Massaad, Group CEO of RAK Ceramics added, “At RAK Ceramics, sustainability is at the heart of our growth strategy. Our partnership with Gulf Cryo marks a significant step forward in our journey towards decarbonisation and resource efficiency. By embracing innovative solutions that reduce our environmental footprint, we continue to drive positive change across our operations and contribute to the UAE’s Net Zero 2050 vision.”
The facility supports both the UAE Net Zero 2050 target and Ras Al Khaimah’s Integrated Sustainability Strategy 2050, underscoring how private sector innovation and collaboration can reduce emissions directly at the source, while building sustainable, locally integrated CO₂ supply chains to serve the UAE’s growing industries, the statement concluded.
