Khalifa Economic Zones Abu Dhabi (KEZAD) Group, the largest operator of integrated and purpose-built economic zones, has partnered with Astha Biotech, a UAE-based investment and development company, to establish a new facility in KEZAD Al Ain.
The lease agreement was signed at the Make It In The Emirates Forum 2024.
“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,” stated Mohamed Al Khadar Al Ahmed, CEO of Khalifa Economic Zones Abu Dhabi – KEZAD Group.
This collaboration will mark the launch of the first UAE company dedicated to producing microalgae for high-value applications in the health, cosmetics, food, and aquaculture industries, with an initial investment of US$12 million from Astha Biotech.
The Astha Biotech facility will cover 38,000 square meters and capture up to 1,000 metric tonnes of CO2 annually by utilizing carbon from local industries to cultivate microalgae. Additionally, it will employ and train a team of 30 highly skilled personnel for the microalgae production unit and laboratory.
“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,” commented Zouheir Bensaid, CEO of Astha Biotech Group.
Moreover, Astha Biotech will initially focus on the dietary supplements market, sustainably producing microalgae strains such as Spirulina, Haematococcus pluvialis, and Chlorella using closed culture processes and photobioreactors.
To grow the microalgae, Astha Biotech will utilize CO2 emissions from local industries as a carbon source in its cultivation facilities. The new facility aims to capture up to 1,000 metric tonnes of CO2 annually, exceeding the carbon sequestration capacity of forests or cornfields.
