Masdar and Tadweer Group have signed a Joint Development Agreement to advance the first commercial-scale Abu Dhabi waste-to-SAF project, a move that pushes the plan to turn municipal waste into sustainable aviation fuel a step closer to reality.
Under the agreement, Masdar and Tadweer will move ahead with a plant expected to convert about 500,000 tons of biomass and urban solid waste into SAF each year. The Abu Dhabi waste-to-SAF project is planned around a hybrid process that pairs waste gasification with green hydrogen made from renewable energy-powered electrolysis.
The facility is planned to run at full commercial scale and supply several markets once it comes online. By bringing together renewable fuels, waste processing and hydrogen production, the partners aim to reinforce Abu Dhabi’s position as a regional SAF hub while backing wider decarbonization efforts across one of the world’s busiest aviation centers.
The project also supports national frameworks, including the UAE General Policy for SAF, Abu Dhabi’s Low-Carbon Hydrogen Policy, the National Hydrogen Strategy, the Abu Dhabi Climate Change Strategy, and the UAE Net Zero by 2050 Strategic Initiative. Tadweer expects the initiative to contribute to its goal of diverting 80 percent of Abu Dhabi’s waste from landfills by 2030, while building new value chains in waste management and renewable fuels.
“Masdar is committed to accelerating the global energy transformation through partnerships and delivering innovative solutions that meet customer needs. This project will advance the UAE’s leadership in sustainable aviation, supporting the growth of a sector critical to the nation’s economic development, while driving its decarbonization. We look forward to working closely with Tadweer Group to bring this project to fruition and deliver tangible emissions reductions for the UAE and beyond,” said Mohamed Jameel Al Ramahi, Chief Executive Officer at Masdar.
“This agreement marks a pivotal step in Tadweer Group’s mission to unlock waste as a valuable resource with the potential to be converted to key energy resources. Partnering with Masdar, we are advancing the UAE’s leadership in clean energy innovation by transforming waste into SAF, a vital product for maintaining a cleaner environment. Together, we are showcasing the incredible potential of waste and contributing to the nation’s Net Zero ambitions, setting a benchmark for sustainable transformation worldwide,” said Ali Al Dhaheri, Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer, Tadweer Group.
According to the partners, SAF produced via this pathway could reduce lifecycle emissions by up to 80 percent compared with conventional jet fuel. The project seeks to reinforce the UAE’s standing in low-carbon fuel production by combining Masdar’s renewable-energy and hydrogen experience with Tadweer’s waste-management capabilities.
