MENA Biofuels, a subsidiary of Mercantile & Maritime Group, has commenced implementing the UAE’s first Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) production facility in the Fujairah Oil Industry Zone (FOIZ), just one year after unveiling the concept at ADIPEC 2024.

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 liters per year around 18 percent of the UAE’s 2030 target, while Phase II will double capacity to 250 million liters per year, supporting regional exports and contributing up to 36 percent of the nation’s SAF goal.

The planned investment for phase I is $200 million and additional $100 million for Phase II, making a total investment of $300 million. The project represents a major contribution and step forward in the UAE’s Sustainable Aviation Fuel Roadmap 2030 and Net Zero 2050 Agenda.

First unveiled at ADIPEC 2024 in line with the UAE’s vision to expand sustainable fuel production, MENA Biofuels has advanced from concept to execution within a year. Following a detailed feasibility study confirming the project’s economic viability, the company has secured land adjacent to MENA Terminals from the Government of Fujairah and appointed Dynatron FZE as Project Manager.

Comprehensive topographic and hydrological surveys have been completed by UAE-based firms, while an internationally recognized technology provider has been selected to convert waste-based feedstocks into certified sustainable aviation fuel. Additionally, Robert Wright, former CEO of the European Biofuels Association, will advise on policy and regulation, and MUC Engineering- Fujairah Branch will conduct the Environmental Impact Assessment and manage project NOCs.

At ADIPEC 2025, MENA Biofuels advanced its commercial implementation through the signing of strategic offtake MoU in the presence of HE Suhail Mohamed Al-Mazrouei, Minister of Energy and Infrastructure, with Emirates Petroleum Company (Emarat), a pioneer in the UAE’s oil and gas industry. 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.

MENA Biofuels has issued the first of two EPCC tenders for its Fujairah SAF facility, inviting qualified contractors to build the feedstock, SAF, and by-product storage and distribution systems. A second tender, covering refinery process units and infrastructure, will follow in the first quarter of 2026. The project marks steady progress toward full-scale implementation, positioning the UAE as a regional hub for sustainable aviation fuel and ensuring supply from Fujairah to local and global markets.

Captain Salem Al Afkham, Director of the Fujairah Oil Industry Zone (FOIZ), described the launch of the UAE’s first Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) plant in Fujairah as a landmark step for both the Emirate and the Nation. He said the project underscores Fujairah’s commitment to the UAE’s Net Zero 2050 strategy and marks a new phase in its energy diversification journey.

By expanding beyond conventional hydrocarbons into cleaner, high-value fuels, Fujairah is advancing its vision of sustainable industrial growth and value creation. Al Afkham added that initiatives like this are transforming FOIZ from one of the world’s leading oil storage and bunkering hubs into a fully integrated energy ecosystem, strengthening its role in the region’s clean-fuels landscape and supporting the UAE’s broader energy transition.

HE Mohamed Saeed Al-Raqbani, Chairman of MENA Biofuels, expressed pride in the company’s swift progress, noting that it had moved from announcement to implementation within just one year. He said the project directly supports the UAE’s Sustainable Aviation Fuel Roadmap 2030 and reflects MENA Biofuels’ commitment to advancing clean energy through strategic partnerships and industrial innovation.

Gati Al-Jebouri, Chief Executive Officer of MENA Biofuels, stated that by leveraging Fujairah’s world-class infrastructure and aligning with the national SAF Roadmap, the company aims to establish itself as a regional leader in sustainable aviation fuel production.