Fujairah: MENA Biofuels, part of the Mercantile and Maritime Group, has commenced implementation of the UAE’s first Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) production facility in the Fujairah Oil Industry Zone (FOIZ).
According to Emirates News Agency, the facility will convert used cooking oil and waste-based feedstocks into certified sustainable aviation fuel meeting international standards. Phase I will produce 125 million litres per year, around 18 percent of the UAE’s 2030 target, while Phase II will double capacity to 250 million litres per year, supporting regional exports and contributing up to 36 percent of the nation’s SAF goal.
The planned investment for Phase I is US$200 million, with an additional US$100 million for Phase II. The project marks a major step forward in the UAE’s Sustainable Aviation Fuel Roadmap 2030 and its Net Zero 2050 Agenda.
MENA Biofuels has progressed from concept to implementation, moving towards execution. Over the past year, the company completed a comprehensive feasibility study validating the project’s economic viability and set the foundation for progressing the project to realisation. 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, and selected an internationally recognised technology provider for the process to convert waste-based feedstocks into certified sustainable aviation fuel.
Robert Wright, former CEO of the European Biofuels Association, has been contracted to provide advice on policy and regulation matters, and MUC Engineering – Fujairah Branch 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 a strategic offtake MoU in the presence of Suhail bin Mohammed Al Mazrouei, Minister of Energy and Infrastructure, with Emirates Petroleum Company (Emarat). In addition, it is the intention to sign a similar MoU at the upcoming Dubai Air Show. The agreements set the foundation for UAE production of sustainable aviation fuel, marking a key step in advancing the nation’s SAF Roadmap 2030 and Net Zero 2050 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 by-products, establishing the project’s logistical backbone.
Within Q1 2026, MENA Biofuels 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 Sustainable Aviation Fuel plant.
Ali Khalifa Al Shamsi, Chief Executive Officer of Emarat, stated that building a home-grown SAF ecosystem requires investors, technology, and distributors working together. With Emarat’s agreement with MENA Biofuels, intent becomes supply: accelerated volumes from Fujairah, certified and locally produced, giving airlines a credible path to decarbonise.
Captain Salem Al Afkham, Director, Fujairah Oil Industry Zone, commented that the launch of the UAE’s first SAF plant 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 a shared commitment to the Net Zero 2050 strategy and the transition toward more sustainable energy sources.
Mohamed Saeed Al-Raqbani, Chairman of MENA Biofuels, expressed pride in seeing 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 a commitment to advancing clean energy through industrial investment and strategic partnerships.
Gati Al-Jebouri, Chief Executive Officer of MENA Biofuels, stated that 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.