ENOC and Dubai Municipality forge partnership to transform used cooking oil into sustainable biodiesel
A landmark collaboration between ENOC Group and Dubai Municipality will establish a comprehensive system for collecting used cooking oil across Dubai and converting it into biodiesel, reinforcing the emirate's commitment to circular economy principles and cleaner energy solutions.
A significant partnership between ENOC Group and Dubai Municipality has been formalised to advance Dubai’s transition towards a circular economy through the innovative recovery and repurposing of used cooking oil. The agreement, witnessed by Eng. Marwan Ahmed bin Ghalita, Director General of Dubai Municipality, and Hussain Sultan Lootah, Group Chief Executive Officer of ENOC Group, establishes a collaborative framework for developing a comprehensive collection system that will gather used cooking oil from restaurants, businesses and households throughout the emirate.
The partnership represents a confluence of expertise and ambition, bringing together Dubai Municipality’s established waste management capabilities with ENOC’s considerable proficiency in fuel production and distribution. Under the terms of the agreement, collected used cooking oil will be transported to ENOC’s Jebel Ali production facility, where it will be converted into biodiesel, creating a valuable resource from material that would otherwise require disposal. This initiative exemplifies how waste streams can be reimagined as valuable economic inputs, thereby supporting the retention of resources within the local economy.
The collaboration directly supports the objectives outlined in the UAE Circular Economy Policy 2031, which endeavours to establish more efficient and regenerative approaches to resource management across the nation. By preventing the improper disposal of used cooking oil whilst simultaneously producing lower-carbon fuel alternatives, the partnership addresses multiple environmental and economic objectives simultaneously. Dubai Municipality will oversee the coordination of collection efforts and waste recovery systems, whilst ENOC will contribute its technical expertise and established infrastructure for biodiesel production.
Ali Khalid bin Zayed Al Falasi, Deputy Managing Director of Commercial and Retail at ENOC Group, emphasised the strategic significance of the partnership, noting that expanding access to cleaner fuels whilst optimising the utilisation of existing resources represents a fundamental priority for meeting the UAE’s future energy requirements. The initiative demonstrates how innovative solutions can simultaneously strengthen local production capabilities and support the transition towards a lower-carbon energy landscape.
Eng. Adel Mohammed Al Marzouqi, Chief Executive Officer of the Waste and Sewerage Agency at Dubai Municipality, highlighted the transformative potential of converting used cooking oil into biofuel, observing that such initiatives exemplify how creative problem-solving can develop sustainable energy alternatives whilst reducing the environmental consequences of waste. The partnership contributes substantially to Dubai’s clean energy transition and broader efforts to establish an efficient and sustainable resource management system that enhances environmental protection and quality of life.
ENOC has established itself as a pioneer in alternative fuel adoption within the region, having introduced Biodiesel5 to the market in 2017 and subsequently expanding its biodiesel portfolio to serve customers across transport, logistics and construction sectors. The Group’s investments in local biodiesel production capabilities position it as a principal facilitator for the wider adoption of alternative fuels across the emirate.
Source: WAM