• DUBAL Holding has positioned itself as a key investor in sustainability-driven initiatives. How does it balance financial returns with environmental impact when selecting investments?

We believe that DUBAL Holding’s financial returns and environmental impact go hand in hand. Each investment is carefully assessed for its commercial viability, long-term sustainability, and alignment with Dubai’s Clean Energy and Net Zero strategies. Our focus lies in sectors where environmental innovation can drive lasting economic value — such as waste-to-energy, recycling, and clean fuels. By making strategic investments in future-ready industries, we make sure that environmental benefits and financial success coexist.

As the investment arm of the Dubai Government, we focus on strategic global investments across the commodities and mining, power and energy, and industrial sectors. Our core mission is to achieve long-term financial returns and growth for our shareholders but more importantly, our investment strategy is also deeply committed to fostering a more sustainable future, directly supporting key governmental initiatives like the Dubai Industrial Strategy 2030.

• The organisation has played a role in the completion of the world’s largest Waste-to-Energy facility in Dubai. How is this facility expected to shape the UAE’s waste management landscape, and do you foresee similar investments in the wider region?

We take great pride in the successful completion of the Warsan Waste Management Centre (WWMC), which stands as the largest and most efficient waste-to-energy facility in the world. Capable of processing 5,555 tons of municipal solid waste per day and generating 200 MW of power, WWMC marks a transformative shift in how the UAE manages waste, while contributing clean energy to the grid. We regard this as a model for the wider region, where the current waste systems are under pressure from urbanisation and population growth. Its success highlights the potential for similar projects across the GCC, promoting both national sustainability goals and energy diversification. More significantly, WWMC is committed to positioning Dubai as one of the world’s leading environmentally conscious cities through sustainable and eco-friendly waste management practices. This corresponds to the Government of Dubai’s ‘Circular Economy Policy 2021-2031,’ designed to transform Dubai into a global model for circular economy practices.

• What are the environmental and economic benefits you foresee from the BioD Technology project? How scalable is this initiative?

Last year, DUBAL Holding acquired 25 per cent equity stake in BioD Technology FZCO, the largest biodiesel manufacturer in the GCC and UAE, which specialises in producing clean biodiesel from used cooking oils and palm oil mill effluent. By converting used cooking oils and fats into B100 biodiesel, we are turning a waste stream into a clean energy source, making BioD Technology project a potent illustration of how circular economy principles can produce deliver tangible benefits. Environmentally, this reduces improper oil disposal, lowers emissions, and supports cleaner transport fuels, while economically, it creates new value chains, promotes ethical collection methods, and boosts local biofuel capacity. 

• DUBAL Holding’s investments span energy, recycling, and industrial sectors. How do these integrated initiatives support the UAE’s transition to a circular economy and clean energy transition?

Our investments across energy, recycling, and industrial sectors form a strategically interconnected ecosystem. Waste-to-energy initiatives convert municipal waste into clean power, while biodiesel projects transform used cooking oils into clean fuels. Through Enviroserve, we also process e-waste from devices like laptops and phones, recovering valuable materials and promoting responsible recycling. Meanwhile, our investments in aluminium and titanium slag facilities strengthen the UAE’s manufacturing base. Together, these initiatives support the UAE’s transition to a circular economy that uses waste as a resource and accelerates the shift to clean energy, aligning economic growth with environmental stewardship.

• DH has also announced the development of a titanium slag facility in Sohar. Could you share more about the strategic significance of this project and how it strengthens the region’s capabilities in high-performance materials?

DUBAL Holding, in collaboration with Minerals Development Oman (MDO), and Stork Group, Austria, has achieved successful energisation of the first furnace at the Sohar Titanium slag facility in Oman this year. A strategically significant project for the region, the titanium slag facility in Sohar, Oman, clearly highlights the close collaboration between major stakeholders in the UAE and Oman. Titanium slag, which contains a high concentration of titanium dioxide, is a key material used across various industries, including paints, coatings, adhesives, ceramics, floor coverings, and roofing products. By increasing domestic production of titanium slag, we are strengthening regional self-sufficiency and decreasing dependence on imported raw materials. The facility, which occupies 120,000 square metres, is built to produce 150,000 tonnes of titanium slag annually using three furnaces, each with a 50,000-tonne capacity. With the energisation of the first furnace now complete, the second and third furnaces are on schedule for completion during Q4 2025.

• Can you talk about some of the upcoming projects in the waste management and recycling sector? 

From recycling and energy recovery to cutting-edge sorting technologies, we are actively exploring new investment opportunities across the waste management value chain. The emphasis now is on scalable models that integrate environmental advantages with commercial sustainability, building on the success of Warsan and our Enviroserve partnership. The expansion of biodiesel production capacity, exploration of regional waste-to-energy opportunities, and integration of digital and smart technologies to improve waste collection and processing efficiency are all part of these initiatives.

• As DUBAL Holding strengthens its portfolio, do you see the company positioning itself as a regional sustainability leader in energy and recycling?

Indeed, leading by example is a priority for DUBAL Holding. As the Dubai Government's investment arm in the commodities, mining, power, and energy sectors, we are laying the groundwork for a sustainable economy that transcends borders by funding impactful projects across energy, recycling, and industrial fields. Our portfolio embodies the UAE's leadership vision, which is to serve as a global hub for sustainable industries, clean energy, and circular economy solutions. As we continue to grow, we aim to be a catalyst in advancing sustainability across the region, driving both economic value and environmental impact.

“From recycling and energy recovery to cutting-edge sorting technologies, we are actively exploring new investment opportunities across the waste management value chain.”