KEZAD signs lease agreement for a new facility in Abu Dhabi

Khalifa Economic Zones Abu Dhabi - KEZAD Group, the largest operator of integrated and purpose-built economic zones, and Astha Biotech, a UAE-based investment and development company, on Thursday signed a lease agreement for a new facility in KEZAD Al Ain.

The agreement will witness the launch of the first UAE company focused on the production of microalgae with high-value applications across the health, cosmetics, food, and aquaculture industries with an initial investment from Astha Biotech of Dhs44 million ($12 million).

The Astha Biotech facility, which will spread over 38,000 sqm, will capture up to 1,000 metric tonnes of CO2 annually, using carbon from local industries to grow microalgae. It will hire and train a team of 30 highly skilled personnel for the microalgae production unit and the laboratory.

Mohamed Al Khadar Al Ahmed, CEO Khalifa Economic Zones Abu Dhabi - KEZAD Group, said, “We are more than happy to welcome Astha Biotech, an infrastructure company with a focus on the green economy. At KEZAD Group, we are developing new enabling infrastructure for companies to further improve their sustainable practices, including transitioning to a greener economy.”

Zouheir Bensaid, CEO of Astha Biotech Group, said, “We are so proud to be part of Abu Dhabi’s ambitious programme geared towards sustainable development. Our project is in-line with our values where we aim at translating our will to seek out new solutions to deal with the challenges of organic dietary nutriments and the contribution to the environment decarbonisation.”

With an initial focus on the dietary supplements market, Astha Biotech’s production of microalgae strains Spirulina, Haematococcus pluvialis, and Chlorella will be carried out in a sustainable manner using closed culture processes and photobioreactors.

Astha Biotech will use CO2 emissions accumulated from local industries in its cultivation facilities as a carbon source for the growth of the microalgae. The new entity aims to capture up to 1,000 metric tonnes of CO2 annually, surpassing the carbon sequestration capacity of forests or corn fields.

Meanwhile Khalifa Economic Zones Abu Dhabi - KEZAD Group and NMDC Energy, a subsidiary of National Marine Dredging Company (NMDC), on Monday signed an agreement for the establishment of a new manufacturing facility in KEZAD.

The 50-year lease agreement will see NMDC Energy invest Dhs367 million ($100 million) in a 224,000 sqm facility in KEZAD, designated for modular fabrication.

The project will offer several strategic benefits to the regional oil and gas sector, including world-class engineering, procurement, project management, fabrication, installation, and commissioning services for project owners and operators. The facility will also create an estimated 3,000 new jobs.

Mohamed Al Khadar Al Ahmed, CEO Khalifa Economic Zones Abu Dhabi - KEZAD Group, said, “As the UAE’s premier industrial and economic zones, KEZAD Group is continuously working to advance the country’s energy, logistics, and marine engineering services. In keeping with the vision of our wise leadership, KEZAD Group is always striving to bolster the UAE’s marine sector by supporting the expansion of national assets like NMDC in the emirate of Abu Dhabi.”

Ahmed Al Dhaheri, CEO of NMDC Energy, said, “This partnership marks a significant milestone for NMDC Energy as we deepen our commitment to the UAE’s industrial growth and sector innovation.”

He added that establishing this new modular fabrication facility at KEZAD represents a significant investment to support the UAE’s vision of becoming a global industrial powerhouse.

NMDC Energy operates advanced fabrication facilities in Abu Dhabi, with a capacity to produce up to 100,000 tonnes of structural steel annually across an area of 1.3 million square metres.

Additionally, NMDC is expanding its capabilities with a new 450,000-square-metre fabrication yard in Ras Al Khair Port, Saudi Arabia, which will have a projected capacity of 60,000 tonnes per year by 2026.

The company owns a fleet of 22 offshore vessels with modern facilities to support its shallow and deep-water operations.

These vessels can lift structures weighing up to 4,200 tonnes and are also equipped to lay subsea cables and pipelines up to 66 inches in diameter in water depths from 10 to 2,000 metres.

Meanwhile Khalifa Economic Zones Abu Dhabi - KEZAD Group, the largest operator of integrated and purpose-built economic zones, and Ducab Metals Business, a leading supplier of metals solutions in the region, signed a lease agreement for expanding its existing manufacturing facility in KEZAD.