KEZAD and Witthal sign landmark MoU
Abu Dhabi’s KEZAD Group and Witthal Gulf Industries recently signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) during Automechanika Dubai 2024 to establish the UAE’s first lithium battery recycling plant.
The collaboration aims to establish a cutting-edge battery recycling facility that contributes to sustainable industrial practices while supporting the UAE’s environmental objectives.
The facility, which is scheduled to commence full operations by Q2-2027, will have the capacity to recycle 5,000 tons of battery waste annually by 2027. Doing so will save an estimated 20,000 tons of greenhouse gas emissions each year, reduce the need for energy-intensive mining, and create new opportunities for local employment and innovation.
This transformative project aligns with the UAE’s Net Zero by 2050 goals and its Circular Economy Policy 2021-2031, underscoring the nation’s leadership in green industrial development.
Renewable Energy storage
The plant will support the EV ecosystem by fostering renewable energy storage, reducing the carbon footprint of battery manufacturing, and promoting sustainable practices through advanced carbon capture technologies and material recovery methods.
“At Witthal, we have a strong vision for the sustainable future of human mobility. We wanted to find a gap where we could play our part that matched KEZAD’s automotive hub ambition,” stated Sugumaran Devaraja, Advisor, Witthal Gulf Industries.
This project marks a groundbreaking step for the UAE’s automotive industry, particularly in accelerating the growth of the electric vehicle (EV) sector. Establishing a fully operational lithium battery recycling plant lays the foundation for a robust EV ecosystem within KEZAD but will also be a fundamental element of Whittal’s growth, a press release concluded.
