First Abu Dhabi material recovery facility to process 400,000 tonnes of waste annually
Advanced AI sorting to increase recycling and reduce landfill dependence
ABU DHABI – Tadweer Group has awarded a contract to global environmental solutions company Urbaser for the construction and operation of Abu Dhabi’s first greenfield Material Recovery Facility, marking a significant step in the emirate’s drive towards more sustainable waste management.
The state-of-the-art facility will have the capacity to process 400,000 tonnes of waste every year, including 200,000 tonnes of municipal solid waste and 200,000 tonnes of commercial and industrial waste. Scheduled to become operational in 2028, the project is expected to play a central role in reducing landfill dependency while supporting Abu Dhabi’s transition to a circular economy.
The development forms part of Tadweer Group’s strategy to divert 80 per cent of Abu Dhabi’s waste away from landfill by 2031 through greater material recovery and resource efficiency.
Advanced sorting
The new facility will be equipped with automated sorting and recovery systems powered by optical technologies and artificial intelligence to improve the accuracy of waste separation and maximise the recovery of recyclable materials.
Recovered materials will be prepared for reuse or further processing, including at the Waste-to-Energy facility currently under development in Abu Dhabi. The project is designed to enhance the value extracted from waste streams while reducing the amount of waste sent to landfill.
Etienne Petit, Chief Executive Officer of Tadweer Group, said the agreement represents a strategic step in transforming waste management across the emirate. He said the partnership with Urbaser combines international operational expertise with advanced recovery technologies to support the group's target of diverting 80 per cent of waste from landfill by 2031 and advancing a circular waste management system in Abu Dhabi.
Long-term partnership
The agreement covers both the construction and operation of the facility. Urbaser will lead the construction phase before overseeing operations through a joint venture in which it will hold a 60 per cent stake, while Tadweer Group will retain the remaining 40 per cent. The operating partnership will manage the facility for an initial five-year period.
The project expands Abu Dhabi’s waste recovery infrastructure, strengthening the emirate’s ability to transform waste into valuable resources while supporting the UAE’s wider sustainability and circular economy ambitions.