KEZAD Group Signs Deal With Astha Biotech For New Microalgae 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, have signed a lease agreement for a new facility in KEZAD Al Ain. This agreement marks the launch of the first UAE company focused on the production of microalgae with high-value applications across various industries.

Astha Biotech is making an initial investment of AED44 million ($12 million) in this project. The facility will cover 38,000 square metres and is designed to capture up to 1,000 metric tonnes of CO2 annually. This will be achieved by using carbon emissions from local industries to grow microalgae.

The new facility will employ and train a team of 30 highly skilled personnel for its microalgae production unit and laboratory. This initiative aligns with KEZAD Group’s commitment to developing infrastructure that supports sustainable practices.

Leadership Statements

Mohamed Al Khadar Al Ahmed, CEO of KEZAD Group, expressed enthusiasm about welcoming Astha Biotech. He highlighted KEZAD Group’s efforts in developing infrastructure that enables companies to adopt greener practices.

Zouheir Bensaid, CEO of Astha Biotech Group, stated that the project aligns with Abu Dhabi’s sustainable development goals. He emphasized the company’s commitment to finding new solutions for organic dietary nutrients and environmental decarbonisation.

Sustainable Production Methods

Astha Biotech plans to focus initially on the dietary supplements market. The company will produce microalgae strains such as Spirulina, Haematococcus pluvialis, and Chlorella using closed culture processes and photobioreactors. These methods ensure sustainable production while utilizing CO2 emissions from local industries as a carbon source.

Environmental Impact

The new facility aims to capture up to 1,000 metric tonnes of CO2 annually. This capacity surpasses that of forests or corn fields in terms of carbon sequestration. The initiative represents a significant step towards reducing industrial carbon footprints.

This collaboration between KEZAD Group and Astha Biotech underscores a shared commitment to sustainable development and innovation in the UAE. By leveraging local industrial CO2 emissions for microalgae cultivation, the project aims to contribute significantly to environmental conservation efforts.

With inputs from WAM