UAE Aims to Lead the World in Sustainability with Revolutionary Battery Recycling Project

The United Arab Emirates (UAE) is taking a significant step toward sustainability with its first-ever battery recycling plant, showcasing the nation’s commitment to accelerating its energy transition.

On Monday, industry insiders announced that the UAE’s KEZAD Group (Khalifa Economic Zones Abu Dhabi Group) has joined forces with Witthal Gulf Industries, Singapore’s Witthal Group subsidiary, to establish a groundbreaking battery waste recycling facility.

The plant, which is expected to be fully operational by 2027, will boast an annual processing capacity of 5,000 tonnes. This initiative aligns with the UAE’s 2050 carbon neutrality goal and the Dubai Economic Circular Policy for 2021-2031, potentially driving growth in the local electric vehicle (EV) ecosystem.

The cutting-edge facility is expected to be fully operational in the second quarter of 2027. Its target is to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by approximately 20,000 tons annually.

The project represents a significant stride in renewable energy storage and minimizing the carbon footprint of battery manufacturing. Using advanced carbon capture technologies and innovative material recovery techniques, the plant aims to enhance resource circulation while contributing to the UAE’s sustainability goals. This bold initiative underscores the nation’s ambition to cement its status as a global leader in energy transition.

Sugumaran Devaraja, an advisor at Witthal Gulf Industries, expressed high hopes for the project’s impact. “We’re already deeply involved in the battery trade and supply materials for manufacturing,” he said. “This new venture will undoubtedly accelerate growth in the electric vehicle sector.”

The UAE’s dedication to energy transition extends beyond this project. In May, UAEV—a joint venture between the Ministry of Energy and Infrastructure and the Etihad Water and Electricity Authority—announced plans to establish a state-of-the-art electric vehicle charging network across all seven emirates. Earlier this year, American EV manufacturer Hummingbird EV revealed plans to build a micro-factory in the UAE, further fueling expectations for the growth of the local EV industry.

The KEZAD Group, founded in 2006 as a subsidiary of the Abu Dhabi Ports Group, has been pivotal in driving economic growth and diversification in Abu Dhabi.

The group manages Abu Dhabi’s port terminal and oversees the Khalifa Economic Zone, an industrial complex spanning 550 square kilometers. Recognized as the world’s largest economic zone, it serves as a vital hub for manufacturing and trade logistics, with its operations strategically centered around Abu Dhabi’s Khalifa Port.