Averda, one of the leading waste management, treatment and recycling companies in emerging  markets, and WasteFuel, a developer of bio-refineries focused on converting  Municipal Solid Waste into low-carbon fuels, announced during the  COP27 Climate Conference, their partnership to develop the first commercial scale municipal waste to renewable methanol plant in the Middle East. 

The plant, expected to be set up in Jebel Ali, United Arab Emirates, will produce renewable methanol for shipping from unrecyclable waste currently being collected and disposed of by Averda. This renewable fuel would help shipping companies achieve up to 90 per cent  reductions in CO2 emissions and other greenhouse gases and pollutants compared to conventional fuels. 

Renewable methanol for shipping is crucial in global efforts to decarbonize.  Large container ships now account for approximately 20 per cent of all marine fuel  demand and researchers warn that without greater efforts to decarbonize  shipping could account for up to 10 per cent of all global emissions by 2050. 

Malek Sukkar, Chief Executive Officer of Averda, commented: “This  partnership will help to address climate change by diverting waste from landfill  to produce renewable fuels. Averda is proud to partner with WasteFuel, another  member of SMI, to bring this innovative and sustainable solution to the region,  and to continue our journey towards a world without waste.” 

“Addressing the climate emergency requires an exponential increase in renewable  fuel supply. The Middle East, specifically Jebel Ali, is considered a gateway  between the Western Hemisphere and the Far East. As WasteFuel works to  produce green methanol to decarbonize shipping at scale, the opportunity to  develop a biorefinery in partnership with Averda in the Middle East was an  exciting and logical next step,” said Trevor Neilson, Co-founder, Chairman and  CEO, WasteFuel.