First UAE plant to produce food-grade CO2 opens in Ras Al Khaimah

The United Arab Emirates has inaugurated its first carbon capture and utilization (CCU) plant in Ras Al Khaimah, marking a significant milestone in the nation’s efforts to reduce industrial emissions and enhance domestic CO₂ supply chains. Developed by Gulf Cryo in collaboration with RAK Ceramics, the facility captures CO₂ emissions from natural-gas engines and converts them into 99.99% pure, food-grade CO₂. This high-purity CO₂ is utilized across various industries, including food and beverage, healthcare, agriculture, and energy. The plant, which captures approximately 17,000 metric tons of CO₂ annually, employs an energy-efficient purification system to produce liquefied carbon dioxide, subsequently distributed to industries reliant on CO₂ for their operations. Prior to this facility, the UAE depended on imported CO₂ from Kuwait and Saudi Arabia. The new plant not only reduces this dependency but also supports the development of a circular carbon economy. The project aligns with the UAE Net Zero 2050 strategy, aiming for carbon neutrality through cleaner technologies and industrial efficiency. It also reflects the growing interest of private companies in carbon capture and utilization projects to meet national sustainability goals. The inauguration ceremony was attended by Sheikh Saqr bin Saud Al Qasimi, Chairman of RAK Ceramics, and Sami Huneidi, Chief Administrative Officer of Gulf Cryo, alongside senior executives from both organizations. This initiative is part of RAK Ceramics’ broader decarbonization plan and contributes to the emirate’s sustainability targets under the Ras Al Khaimah Integrated Sustainability Strategy 2050. The facility stands as a local model for emission reduction and resource recovery within the manufacturing sector, showcasing the UAE’s commitment to sustainable industrial practices.