MENA Biofuels launches UAE’s first SAF facility in Fujairah

Post by : Bianca Suleiman

MENA Biofuels, a division of the Mercantile & Maritime Group, has commenced work on the UAE’s inaugural Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) production facility within the Fujairah Oil Industry Zone (FOIZ), marking a strategic advance in the country’s aviation decarbonisation and Net Zero 2050 commitments.

The installation will process used cooking oil and other waste-derived feedstocks into internationally certified SAF, directly supporting implementation of the UAE’s Sustainable Aviation Fuel Roadmap 2030.

Planned output in the initial phase is 125 million litres per year — roughly 18% of the UAE’s 2030 SAF target. A subsequent expansion will raise capacity to 250 million litres annually, covering up to 36% of that national goal. The combined investment for both stages is estimated at US$300 million.

Since project inception, MENA Biofuels has rapidly progressed through feasibility work, secured a site adjacent to MENA Terminals from the Government of Fujairah, and appointed Dynatron FZE as project manager. The firm has also completed topographic and hydrological assessments, contracted MUC Engineering for environmental studies, and selected an international technology partner for fuel conversion.

Project momentum was sustained at ADIPEC 2025, where MENA Biofuels signed an offtake memorandum of understanding with Emarat in the presence of UAE Minister of Energy and Infrastructure Suhail bin Mohammed Al Mazrouei. A follow-on commercial agreement is anticipated at the Dubai Airshow, supporting development of a domestic SAF supply chain.

To progress construction, the company has released the first Engineering, Procurement, Construction and Commissioning (EPCC) tender covering feedstock reception, storage and distribution systems. A second EPCC tender, addressing the SAF refinery units and ancillary infrastructure, is scheduled for Q1 2026, advancing the project toward full-scale delivery.

Situated within one of the world’s primary oil and bunkering centres, the Fujairah plant positions the emirate at the cutting edge of cleaner fuel solutions. The initiative underlines the UAE’s broader strategy to decarbonise aviation and diversify its energy portfolio.