Green Planet and Zero Carbon Ventures establish waste-to-value JV

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WHAT WE’RE TRACKING TODAY

TODAY: Green Planet and Zero Carbon Ventures establish waste-to-value JV

Good morning, ladies and gents. We have an accidental waste management issue this morning with updates from around the region in recycling, waste-to-value projects, and water treatment.

THE BIG CLIMATE STORY- UAE’s Zero Carbon Ventures and Egyptian environmental consultancy Green Planet have formed a waste-to-value JV introducing new tech to transform waste methane into valuable commodities.

^^ We have the details on this story and more in the news well, below.

THE BIG CLIMATE STORY OUTSIDE THE REGION- No single story is dominating the headlines, but a new report by clean energy think tank Ember has found wind power generation produced more electricity than gas plants in Europe for the first time in 2023. Fossil fuel power generation dropped by a record 19% y-o-y in 2023, with gas fired electricity decreasing by 15% and coal electricity by 26%. Meanwhile, electricity generated by wind power rose from 13% to 18%. Increased efforts to move away from fossil fuels in order to reduce dependence on Russia have also resulted in a 19% decrease in carbon emissions from the power sector. The story was picked up by Reutersand Euronews.

WATCH THIS SPACE-

#1- Schneider Electric wants to build 1k green homes in Egypt: Egypt's Cabinet and officials from Schneider Electric met earlier this week to review an initiative by the latter to construct 1k renewables-powered smart homes in Egypt, according to a statement. The company can leverage its existing factory in Badr City to locally manufacture components for the smart homes, President of Schneider Electric for Northeast Africa and the Arab Levant Sebastian Reyes said during the meeting. Egypt has asked Schneider to conduct a feasibility study to determine the cost of the project and its potential in reducing emissions and the electricity bill.

#2- Baghdad will award the contract for its first WtE plant in coming days: Iraq’s Baghdad municipality will award the contract for its first planned waste-to-energy plant in the “next few days” after receiving bids from several international developers, National Investment Commission Adviser Rahim Al-Jaafari told the Iraqi News Agency. The WtE facility will convert 3k tons of waste into 80 MWh energy capacity daily, and is aimed at meeting the capital’s power demands. The capital has similar projects in the pipeline aimed at leveraging its daily waste generation output of 12k tons, Al-Jaafari added.

DANGER ZONE-

Algeria’s drought is ramping up wheat imports: Algeria is set to become the world’s fifth largest importer of soft wheat this year due to climate-change induced drought with imports projected to rise 11% y–o-y to 7.2 mn tons, El Watan writes, citing a report by FranceAgriMer. Algeria is one of the most water stressed countries in the world, meeting less than a third of the World Bank’s per capita water scarcity threshold with an average of 300 cubic meters per capita annually as of 2019. Under the country’s 2020-2024 Agriculture Roadmap, Algeria had targeted a 25% reduction of its average annual USD 10 bnfood imports but months of drought throughout the 2022/23 growing season affected its cereal production capacity. Due to inconsistent rainfall, the country will likely not meet its target of cutting USD 2.5 bn in food imports before 2030, Al Monitor notes.

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CIRCLE YOUR CALENDAR-

Egypt will host the Egypt Energy Show from Monday, 19 February to Wednesday, 21 February in Cairo. The event will gather 35k energy industry professionals and host over 80 conferences on energy transition and sustainable production.

The UAE will host the Management and Sustainability of Water Resources Conference from Monday, 26 February to Wednesday 28 February in Dubai. Water availability in arid and semiarid regions, global water issues, and future water and environmental challenges are all on the agenda.

Saudi Arabia will host the International Conference on Sand and Dust Storms in theArabian Peninsula from Monday, 4 March to Wednesday, 6 March in Riyadh. The conference will address regional challenges caused by sand and dust storms and discuss monitoring systems, mitigation strategies, economic and infrastructural impacts, and more.

Check out our full calendar on the web for a comprehensive listing of upcoming news events, national holidays and news triggers.

Egypt’s Green Planet and UAE’s Zero Carbon Ventures establish waste-to-value JV

A new Egyptian waste management JV: UAE’s Zero Carbon Ventures and Egyptian environmental consultancy Green Planet have formed a waste-to-value JV introducing new tech to transform waste methane into valuable commodities, according to a press release. The JV — called the Zero Carbon Green Planet (ZCGP) — will use new patent-pending tech to process waste at Cairo’s 15 May landfill site and plans to be incorporated in the Abu Dhabi Global Markets.

How they’ll do it: ZCGP will use Zero Carbon Venture’s tech to process 400 tons of waste per day, turning it into profitable revenue streams such as graphene, hydrogen and fertilizers. The first phase of the project is expected to be operational by 2025, the statement notes, adding that it will eliminate thousands of tons of CO2 and methane emissions upon its completion in 2027.

We heard about this project before: The two companies inked an agreement last September for a pilot project focused on treating organic waste and transforming it into income-generating products.

Not Green Planet’s first UAE collab: Green Planet and the UAE’s Bee’ah Group signed a 10-year contract in 2022 to upgrade Sharm El Sheikh’s waste management infrastructure. The partnership began with collecting and recycling cooking oil at first, and is expanding to recycle all solid waste in a bid to eliminate the use of landfills.

Zero Carbon is slowly getting off the ground: The company raised USD 5 mn in seed funding in September and signed a preliminary pact with Masdar City in October 2022 to collaborate on CO2-reducing tech in the UAE’s capital.

About the company: Founded in 2022, the company invests and applies innovative tech across four key areas: waste, water, energy, and materials. The firm targets carbon reducing projects including carbon capture, storage and utilization (CCSU), clean energy generation, and energy efficiency engineering among other areas. Zero Carbon has offices in Masdar City and Abu Dhabi Global Market and is backed by British climate tech-firm Levidian, UAE’s Khalifa University, and US’ international law firm King & Spalding.

UAE gets its first battery recycling plant

UAE's first battery recycling plant is operational: The UAE's first battery recycling plant Dubatt has been inaugurated in Dubai Industrial City, Wam reports. Dubatt broke ground on the AED 110 mn plant nearly two years ago and it is set to be the first fully integrated used lead acid battery (ULAB) recycling facility capable of recycling around 80% of the UAE’s lead battery waste.

The details: The plant includes a battery breaker with a capacity of 10 tons per hour, a 4 cubic meter smelter, and four refinery kettles. The plant will have an annual capacity of processing up to 50k metric tons. Italian lithium battery producer Seri Industrial provided the plant's tech and machinery.

More UAE battery recycling in the works: UAE waste management company Bee'ah Group signed an agreement with Indian lithium-ion battery recycling firm Lohum last December to establish the UAE’s first EV battery repurposing facility.

Gulf Biopolymer Industries will build MENA’s first biodegradable PLA plant in Kezad

MENA gets its first biodegradable PLA plant: Dubai-based polymer supplier Gulf Biopolymers Industries (GBI) will build the MENA region’s first biodegradable polylactic acid (PLA) polymers production facility in the Khalifa Economic Zones Abu Dhabi (Kezad), according to a statement.

The details: The facility — for which GBI signed a 50-year lease agreement— will span 135k sq meters and is planned to have an annual 30k ton PLA production volume. The investment ticket and target launch date for the project were not disclosed.

What is polylactic acid? PLA is a thermoplastic monomer (a molecule that can be bonded to counterparts to form a polymer) derived from organic, renewable resources including corn scratch and sugar cane, unlike conventional plastics which are produced from the distillation and polymerization of petroleum.

Why does this matter? Plastic manufacturing accounted for 1.8 bn tons of greenhouse gas emissions in 2019 — 3.4% of total global emissions that year. If current manufacturing levels remain on track, figures are expected to increase by 0.7 bn tons by 2050.

Targets have been set: UN negotiators entered the third round of talks on an agreement aimed at controlling plastic pollution by the end of 2024 last November. The UN Environment Programme laid out a strategy back in May for reducing the world’s plastic waste levels by nearly 80% in less than two decades using pre-existing technologies.

REMEMBER- Kezad is making moves to boost circularity: The UAE trade, logistics, and industry hub signed an agreement back in 2022 with industrial recycling player Renov8 Polymer Industries to establish an AED 552 mn (USD 150 mn) mixed plastic waste recycling facility at its Polymer’s Park. Kezad also signed an agreement with Emirati tissue manufacturer Star Paper Mill in December last year to build a AED 200 mn recycled paper plant. On a national level, the UAE last year took a decision to enforce a ban on all single-use plastic bags starting January this year and said the import of all plastic materials will be outlawed by 2026.

Iran develops the world’s largest ozone reactor for water treatment

Iran is deploying ozone tech for water purification: Iran has developed its own ozone reactor — a device that uses renewable ozone gas to purify water and remove contaminants — in a bid to slash surface water runoff by 25% by 2030, Mehr News Agency reports. The reactor can provide clean water for 320k people.

How it works: Ozone water treatment begins by creating ozone in the generator forming a gas by splitting oxygen molecules by electricity or ultraviolet light. The ozone is then injected into the water to oxidize and purify the water by destroying bacteria, viruses, parasites, and metals.

The drawbacks: The tech is expensive, difficult to transport, and potentially corrosive. Ozone water treatment is often compared to chlorination — another common water treatment method — but has the ability to eliminate chlorine-resistant parasites and leaves behind no chemical by-products.

REMEMBER- Droughts are already battering Iran: Consistent droughts caused Iran’s Lake Urmia — once MENA’s second largest lake spanning 5.2k km² — to dry up on the back of climate change and agricultural expansion, with the country's water security woes expected to take a USD 25 bn toll. Iran also saw around 2k surface water wells dry up in its Torbat-e Jam which also affected the country's saffron production.

Spain’s PVH launches new solar tracking system

SOLAR-

PVH unveils solar tracker AxoneDuo Infinity: Spanish solar company PVH has launched its latest solar tracking system the AxoneDuo Infinity which will work with different terrain conditions to ensure efficient energy production, according to a statement. The tech allows rows of solar modules to be interconnected in various configurations or to independent operation with individual motors to increase flexibility and adaptability for each project. The system features control and monitoring systems like DBox5, which uses artificial intelligence and machine learning to detect failures and predict threats to the structure.

PVH's tech is already in the region: PVH opened its first regional manufacturing facility producing PV structures, solar tracking systems, and robotic cleaning devices in Saudi Arabia in 2021. The company is supplying Neom with 2.97 GW peak (GWp) worth of solar trackers for the solar farms powering its USD 8.4 bn green hydrogen plant, and providing 1.7 GW of solar trackers to the USD 2.2 bn Al Shuaibah project. PVH is also supplying the Larsen & Toubro Ar Rass solar project with 805 MW of solar trackers.

OTHER STORIES WORTH KNOWING ABOUT THIS MORNING-

KSA’s Ceer is looking to source EV components locally: Saudi Arabia’s first national EV brand Ceer is looking to source over 40% of its raw materials locally during its initial stage of operations. Ceer received a manufacturing license from KSA’s Ministry of Industry and Mineral Resources last June for its USD 96 mn EV production plant in Jeddah’s King Abdullah Economic City. (Al Arabiya)
Dubai’s RTA to issue green mobility certificates: Dubai Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) will issue accreditation certificates to companies and organizations managing green vehicle fleets — including all-electric and hybrid cars – as part of a new initiative adopted by the Dubai Supreme Council of Energy to accelerate the transition to low-carbon mobility. (Statement)

Wind energy makes a comeback in the EU

Vestas is out of the red: Denmark’s wind turbine developer Vestas has surpassed 4Q expectations gaining profits again after a low period, Reuters reports. Profits were up to EUR 191 mn, compared to a EUR 514 mn loss in 2022. Shareholders won’t be seeing any dividends as profits were too low for a substantial amount. The wind energy sector has been facing setbacks all around with challenges such as supply chain disruptions and higher material costs impacting the industry's performance.

OTHER STORIES WORTH KNOWING ABOUT THIS MORNING-

TotalEnergies will help ONGC track methane emissions: India’s Oil and Natural Gas Corporation (ONGC) has inked an agreement with French energy giant TotalEnergies to use the Total’s drone tech to detect and measure methane emissions from its operations.. (Statement)

Scientists have discovered a weapon for destroying forever chemicals

“Forever chemicals” destroyed: A team of researchers from the Fermi National Accelerator Laboratory has successfully demonstrated that high-energy electron beams can break down perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) — known as “forever chemicals” — in water, according to a press release. The researchers used an electron beam accelerator at Fermilab to irradiate water samples containing two of the most problematic PFAS compounds. The electron beam was able to break the strong bonds in the PFAS molecules, effectively eliminating them without releasing harmful byproducts.

Why does this matter?PFAS, a group of synthetic chemicals that are widely used in various industries and products, are very resistant to natural degradation and can accumulate in the environment and the human body. These compounds, which are used in firefighting foams and nonstick cookware, have been linked to various health issues.

What’s next? The electron beam technology could be applied to treat large volumes of water that contain high concentrations of PFAS. The technology could also be used to prevent PFAS contamination from occurring in the first place by treating waste streams before they leave the manufacturing facilities.

CALENDAR

FEBRUARY 2024

13-15 February (Tuesday-Thursday): Iran’sNational Symposium on Tourism and Green Investment, Tehran International Permanent Fairground.

19-21 February (Monday-Wednesday): Egypt Energy Show (EGYPES), Cairo, Egypt.

26-28 February (Monday-Wednesday): Management and Sustainability of Water Resources, Dubai, UAE.

26-28 February (Monday-Wednesday): Oman Conference for Environmental Sustainability, Muscat, Oman.

27-27 February (Tuesday-Wednesday): ClimateBusiness Forum: Asia Pacific, Hong Kong, China.

MARCH 2024

4-6 March (Monday-Wednesday): International Conference on Sand and Dust Storms in the Arabian Peninsula, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.

APRIL 2024

16-18 April (Tuesday-Thursday): World Future Energy Summit, Abu Dhabi, UAE.

16-18 April (Tuesday-Thursday): Middle East Energy, Dubai, UAE.

22-24 April (Monday-Wednesday): Oman Petroleum and Energy Show, Mustac, Oman.

23-25 April (Tuesday-Thursday): Connecting Green Hydrogen MENA, Dubai, UAE.

28-29 April (Sunday-Monday) Global Cooperation, Growth and Energy for Development,Riyadh, KSA.

28-2 May (Sunday-Thursday) Oman Sustainability Week, Oman International Exhibition Center, Muscat.

30 April-2 May (Tuesday-Thursday): Autonomous E-Mobility Forum, Doha, Qatar.

MAY 2024

7-9 May (Tuesday-Thursday): Global Waste Forum, Algiers, Algeria.

14 to 16 May (Tuesday-Thursday): Airport Show, Dubai, UAE.

19-21 May (Sunday-Tuesday): Saudi Energy Convention, Riyadh, KSA.

20-22 May (Monday-Wednesday): Electric Vehicle Innovation Summit, Abu Dhabi, UAE.

28-30 May (Tuesday-Thursday): Make it in the Emirates Forum, Abu Dhabi, UAE.

JUNE 2024

5 June (Wednesday): World Environment Day, Saudi Arabia.

OCTOBER 2024

15-17 October (Tuesday-Thursday): EV Auto Show, Riyadh, KSA.

NOVEMBER 2024

11-14 November (Monday-Thursday) Abu Dhabi International Petroleum Exhibition & Conference (ADIPEC), Abu Dhabi, UAE.

DECEMBER 2024

2-13 December (Monday-Friday): Conference of the Parties (COP16) to the United Nation Convention to Combat Desertification, Riyadh, KSA.

EVENTS WITH NO SET DATE

2024

Early 2024: The 2023 US Algeria Energy Forum, Washington DC, USA.

12-14 February (Monday-Wednesday): Sustainable Aviation Futures MENA Congress, Dubai, UAE.

End-2024: Emirati Masdar’s 500 MW wind farm in Uzbekistan to begin commercial operations.

QatarEnergy’s industrial cities solar power project will start electricity production.

2025

International Union for Conservation of Nature World Conservation Congress, Abu Dhabi, UAE.

UAE to have over 1k EV charging stations installed.

2026

26-29 October (Monday-Thursday): World Energy Congress, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.

UITP Global Public Transport Summit, Dubai, UAE.

Annual Meetings of the World Bank and the International Monetary Fund, Bangkok, Thailand.

1Q 2026: QatarEnergy’s USD 1 bn blue ammonia plant to be completed.

End-2026: HSBC Bahrain to eliminate single-use PVC plastic cards.

2027

MENA’s district cooling market is expected to reach USD 15 bn.

2030

UAE’s Abu Dhabi Commercial Bank (ADCB) wants to provide AED 35 bn in green financing.

UAE targets 14 GW in clean energy capacity.

Tunisia targets 30% of renewables in its energy mix.

Qatar wants to generate USD 17 bn from its circular economy, creating 9k-19k jobs.

Morocco’s Xlinks solar and wind energy project to generate 10.5 GW of energy.

2035

Qatar to capture up to 11 mn tons of CO2 annually.

2045

Qatar’s Public Works Authority’s (Ashghal) USD 1.5 bn sewage treatment facility to reach 600k cm/d capacity.

2050

Tunisia’s carbon neutrality target.

2060

Nigeria aims to achieve its net-zero emissions target.

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