Another biodiesel project in the works courtesy of Qatar’s Al Mana Holding

Qatar’s Al Mana Holding is investing USD 15.6 mn to build a facility that will convert used cooking oil into biodiesel, according to a statement from the Environment Ministry. The project is set to be located in the integrated waste management city in Tenth of Ramadan and is designed to process 100 tons per day.

Why it matters: Global aviation mandates are fueling rising demand for sustainable aviation fuel (SAF). By localizing biodiesel production, Egypt is positioning itself as a potential regional hub for SAF feedstock, in line with state efforts to develop dedicated SAF facilities serving international airlines refueling in Cairo.

But the challenge lies in collection. Egypt consumes around 2.8 mn tons of edible oil each year, generating roughly 2.6 mn tons of used cooking oil. The Qatari company plans to compete in the collection market by launching a mobile app that rewards households for safe disposal, while building dedicated storage and logistics networks to collect directly from food manufacturers and fast-food chains.

Another phosphate plant coming our way

Fertilizer producer Movingfert is setting up a USD 40 mn phosphate plant in Qena’s Qift Freezone. The 190k sqm project is expected to kick off production this year with a 500k-ton-a-year first phase. Some 80% of output will be exported to European and East Asian markets.

We have a slew of big-ticket phosphate projects coming our way — most recently, China’s Kunming Chuan Jin Nuo Chemical Co.inked an agreement to develop a USD 1 bn phosphate chemical industrial park in Elsewedy’s Sokhna 360 industrial city. This came shortly after a Chinese consortium partnered with multiple local players to build a USD 658 mn phosphoric acid production complex in the New Valley governorate. Furthermore, China’s Asia Potash announced plans for a phosphate fertilizer industrial park in Upper Egypt, carrying a final investment ticket of USD 7-10 bn.

Petroleum Marine Services plans UAE expansion

State-owned Petroleum Marine Services is finalizing its UAE branch within the next two months, marking its second major GCC expansion following a successful entry into Saudi Arabia, according to a statement.

Why it matters: With pressure building on state-owned firms to be economically independent and profitable, serving the local market is often not enough. While state contractors have a long history of working in the Gulf, regular readers of EnterpriseAM will have noticed a notable uptick in projects being secured abroad to increase and diversify revenue streams.

Astra Rise taps Rotana to manage EGP 4 bn hotel

Astra Rise Developments is handing over the management and operation of its EGP 4 bn hotel project in the New Capital to UAE-based Rotana Hotels, Zawya reports, citing a company statement. Under the agreement’s managed leaseback model, investors will be allowed to acquire individual hotel units and lease them back to Rotana. Construction timelines were not disclosed.

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