Silver Line Gate Group (SLG) has said it is building a new manufacturing, warehouse and corporate offices facility, spanning 1.37m sqft at Dubai Industrial City. The firm said the US $55mn facility is taking shape in Dubai Industrial City and will open in 2025, and bolster’s the UAE’s commitment to building a self-reliant food security program.

According to a statement, the new facility joins a growing number of food manufacturers, processing firms producing and exporting foodstuff globally from the industrial hub, boosting foreign trade and supporting the Dubai Economic Agenda D33.

The new facility will meet the demands of B2B and B2C customers across the GCC, African market and Southeast Asia, and support the distribution of wholesale bakery products such as butter, whey powder, and vegetable shortening to bakeries, restaurants, ice cream manufacturers, hotels, caterers and other users across the UAE, it added.

“UAE leadership underscores food security as one of its key priorities. With a growing volume of Dubai-based food manufacturers located in one address, Dubai Industrial City is leading the way for Dubai to cultivate a self-reliant food programme. We are pleased to welcome Silver Line Gate Group (SLG) into our growing community of food manufacturers and distributors who ensure people across the UAE, Middle East and beyond always have access to nutritious food products,” said Saud Abu Alshawareb, Executive Vice President of Industrial Leasing – TECOM Group on behalf of Dubai Industrial City.

In early October 2022, M Glory said it was opening a new electric car manufacturing unit in Dubai Industrial City and, in late January 2023, a Knight Frank report showed that Grade A warehouse lease rates were continuing to rise.

SLG’s new facility is said to be designed to meet the growing dairy ingredients market by using advanced technologies with fully automated machinery and equipment, and will create more than 300 jobs. Dubai’s strategic location, paired with Dubai Industrial City’s extensive transport network that includes land, air, sea, and soon Etihad Rail, will provide the firm with unrivalled and convenient access to key markets, it added.

Mrs. Shereen Saeed, General Manager, at SLG Group added, “Our business is growing rapidly, fuelled by a growing demand for powdered milk and related products across the region. Our ability to cater to this demand, in terms of both output and timely delivery, hinges on our facility. Dubai Industrial City offers us fully equipped industrial infrastructure to easily set up a state-of-the-art manufacturing and logistics centre from which we can better cater to many other markets. Dubai is fast becoming the industrial centre of the region, and we’re thrilled by this chapter in our company’s growth and global expansion story.”

As per Mordor Intelligence, the Middle East and Africa dairy ingredients market is projected to grow at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 5.7% between 2020 and 2025. The popularity of whey proteins, driven by a renewed focus on active lifestyles and fitness, and the growing use of infant milk formula contribute to greater demand for milk products, the statement concluded.

In late February 2023, Tawazun Industrial Park and Yellow Door Energy inked a deal for a 4.4MW solar project.

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Acwa Power’s joint venture (JV) entity has closed a financing agreement worth US $8.5bn for a major green hydrogen project, which will take shape in Saudi Arabia’s Neom city, the firm has announced. In addition to Acwa, Neom Green Hydrogen Company (NGHC) has US-based Air Products and Neom as its JV partners, the statement explained.

The finance for the project will come from a combination of long-term debt and equity, stated Acwa Power in its filing to Saudi bourse Tadawul. The total financing consists of $5.85bn in senior debt and $475mn of mezzanine debt facilities, both arranged on a non-recourse project finance basis.

It includes: $1.5bn from the National Development Fund (NDF) on behalf of National Infrastructure Fund (NIF) under foundation and, $1.25bn is in the form of Saudi riyal denominated financing from the Saudi Industrial Development Fund (SIDF).

In early February 2023, Masdar opens office in Baku in support of Azerbaijan’s renewable energy sector and, later in the month, Brooge Energy and Siemens Energy said they would develop a green hydrogen and ammonia plant.

The balance will come from a consortium of financiers, structured as a combination of long term uncovered tranches and a Euler Hermes covered tranche, the bourse filing outlined. These include First Abu Dhabi Bank, HSBC, Standard Chartered Bank, Mitsubishi UFJ Financial Group, BNP Paribas, Abu Dhabi Commercial Bank, Natixis, Saudi British Bank, Sumitomo Mitsui Banking Corporation, Saudi National Bank, KFW, Riyad Bank, Norinchukin Bank, Mizuho Bank, Banque Saudi Fransi, Alinma Bank, Apicorp, JP Morgan, DZ Bank, Korea Development Bank and Credit Agricole.

According to Acwa Power, the project scope includes the development, financing, design, engineering, procurement, manufacturing, factory testing, transportation, construction, erection, installation, commissioning, insurance, ownership, operation and maintenance of the world-scale green hydrogen and green ammonia facility in Neom.

Also a 30-year green ammonia offtake contract has been inked with Air Products, it added.

In early March 2023, the Big Project Middle East editorial team said that its 2023 Energy & Sustainability Summit will highlight the region’s key opportunities and challenges.

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The third edition of Construction Machinery Middle East (CMME)’s popular Access & Handling Summit is to feature experts from the construction and facilities management sectors, the magazine’s editorial team has revealed.

The event is scheduled to take place on 7 March at the Habtoor Polo Resort in Dubai. Registration is complementary for professionals from the access and handling, crane, construction, facilities management, oil and gas, power, transport, and equipment rental sectors.

“During the event, experts from both the construction and facilities management sectors will look at the challenges for firms, including a look at best practice in the sectors when it comes to operating equipment and managing teams on site,” explained Stephen White, Head of Content at Construction Machinery Middle East.

“Talking points will also include equipment and team mobilisation best practice, planning for working in a construction and built environment, project stakeholder co-ordination and improving efficiency and value for the project and building owners,” he continued.

Apart from the end customer segments, the summit will feature a number of panel discussions, presentations and demonstrations, and will kick off at 9am on the day. Click here to read the full agenda.

White concluded, “The hope is we bring together representation from across the board from the suppliers to the end-users – and it will be exciting to see what answers they can come up with as we face a dynamic period for the UAE.”

Read more about the Summit here.

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Developer Sobha Realty has announced the successful completion of its Waves project at the waterfront district in its Sobha Hartland community. The developer said the project received its Building Completion Certificate (BCC) “well ahead” of the planned construction schedule.

According to the developer, construction work on the residential tower began in February 2021. The firm said the project comprises 35-storeys and is located right in front of the 1.8km waterfront boardwalk in Sobha Hartland. The tower also includes a designated barbeque area, a yoga and meditation zone, and an infinity edge swimming pool with a view of the Dubai Skyline and the waterfront.

The development is the first to be complete across the waterfront district of Sobha Hartland and offers views of the Dubai Skyline, Ras Al Khor Wildlife Sanctuary, Meydan Racecourse, Meydan One Mall, and Dubai Creek, the statement added.

In early October 2022, the developer said its One Park Avenue residential tower two months earlier than planned and, later in the month, it launched its first signature residential tower project in Dubai.

“We are delighted to have completed the construction of our iconic Waves project at the waterfront district of Sobha Hartland well ahead of schedule. Dubai real estate is projected to experience a strong expansion in 2023, with the residential property segment projected to witness a growth of over 40%. We are keen to contribute to this growth by developing and accelerating the completion of our significant developments in the city,” said Francis Alfred, Managing Director of Sobha Realty.

He continued, “The exquisite Waves project will be the first tower along the waterfront side of the Sobha Hartland community. We were able to complete this project in a record schedule within 24 months. Every single detail has been curated with precision, ensuring Sobha’s signature quality throughout the project. Sobha Hartland development, on the other hand, is advancing in accordance with the planned timeline, which reflects our emphasis on our clients’ needs and commitment to upholding the highest possible standards across all our projects.”

The developer said it is committed to redefining the art of living by delivering luxury properties with exceptional quality and design. It stated that Sobha Hartland is one of its key developments through which it has altered the definition of luxury real estate in Dubai.

In late November 2022, the developer unveiled its new interconnected tower development in Dubai.

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Lead Development has said that it has achieved a major milestone at its $2.7bn Jubail Island Development in Abu Dhabi. The firm said that the energisation of electrical substations is an important step towards completing the infrastructure works and handing over of the land plots.

With the planned substations powered up, Abu Dhabi Construction Company can now move ahead with key test and commissioning work for the villa’s and townhouses. The project, which is owned by JIIC and being developed and managed by Lead, will be home to an idyllic collection of six residential village estates located between Yas Island and Saadiyat Island, the statement said.

“We are pleased to announce the energization of the substations in Jubail Island, which represents a significant milestone in the infrastructure development of Jubail Island. By carefully planning the project’s development, stage by stage, we have been able to achieve this important facet of our overall delivery schedule and with the completion of the infrastructure works, we can continue in earnest across the entire project,” stated Engineer Abdulla Saeed Al Shamsi, Corporate Director of Jubail Island Investment Company.

In early June 2022, JIIC awarded $11mn in contracts to APCC for a new 66-berth marina in Marfa Al Jubail and later in the month, the firm awarded CSCEC ME a $60mn contract to build the Souk Al Jubail townhouses.

A vital step in the project’s ongoing development, the energisation secures power for any future construction work across the island, and provides electricity for the vacant land plots, and allows for the hand over of the plots this month, said the statement from Lead Development.

With this move, buyers who have received their plots can begin independently developing their private mansions. It means that delivery of plots, villas and townhouses on the Island is proceeding as per schedule, the statement concluded.

In early January 2023, Lead Development introduced ‘The Souk’ on Jubail Island.

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RedSea has announced the commissioning and start of operations at its new greenhouse facility in Abu Dhabi, UAE. The AgTech firm said the greenhouse facility is powered by 2,000sqm of elevated solar panels functioning as agrivoltaics, with protected crops grown under the panels and heat-blocking net – showcasing the full capability of RedSea’s sustainable technologies.

According to a statement, the technology in the new Abu Dhabi facility – a first for the country – will help diversify food product sources and stimulate the region’s agri-food sectors. It added that the commissioning is a first look for UAE audiences at RedSea’s sustainable agricultural technologies.

The one-hectare showcase facility is set to supercharge wider adoption of the technologies in the UAE for the benefit of local growers and significantly impact Abu Dhabi’s agricultural ecosystem. RedSea’s facility directly compares, side-by-side, its roots to roof technologies with technologies currently  used in the GCC, the statement continued.

“We are delighted for UAE audiences to have their first glimpse of our award-winning technology, which is transforming global controlled environment agriculture and open-field farming. There is a clear path for local growers to use this technology to generate higher production yields, operate more sustainably and be more profitable,” said Red Sea CEO Ryan Lefers.

In late August 2022, Group AMANA said it delivered the world’s largest vertical farm in Dubai South and, in early February 2023, PIF & AeroFarms signed a deal to develop vertical farms across the MENA region.

Its technologies include iyris heat-blocking low-cost roofing, a climate-controlled recirculating deep water culture system for growth of berries, and a saltwater evaporative cooling system functioning without desalination. RedSea’s climate-adapted IoT sensors – which allow remote monitoring and greenhouse management – will serve as the management system. The project received HSBC’s Living Business award for innovative water management and efficiency, the statement pointed out.

RedSea’s focus on resource and food scarcity supports the UAE’s ‘National Food Security Strategy’ to promote food security with advanced agricultural technology. With climate change and increasing global food shortages, the UAE and the Middle East are leading the way in addressing these huge issues ahead of COP 28, the company said.

Lefers remarked, “Globally, food production is frequently unsustainable and very vulnerable to climate change. Our technology – which addresses these problems directly – is a solution born in the deserts of the Middle East and already being delivered in hot climates around the world.”

Miles Thornhill, Team Head Corporate Banking and Head of Business Banking UAE at HSBC concluded, “We are focused on helping to deliver a Net Zero global economy, which includes channelling investment towards sustainable projects. Sustainable finance has an important role to play in allowing AgTech companies, such as RedSea, to scale and demonstrate solutions that help build a better future.”

In late February 2023, Sharjah Sustainable City launched the ‘Discover Your Urban Farm’ initiative.

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Abu Dhabi University (ADU) has inaugurated a 3D Concrete Printing Research Lab within its campus, as part of its efforts to provide students with unique learning opportunities. The Lab was set up by the ADU’s College of Engineering, and is said to feature advanced 3D printing technologies that will contribute to the prototyping of concrete structures.

The technology enables the creation of intricate shapes and designs that would be difficult to achieve using traditional construction methods, said a statement from ADU.

3D printing technology enables creative and unique building designs. In addition, it promotes sustainable construction practices by enabling precise measurements and minimum waste of raw materials during the construction process and reducing energy consumption compared to traditional construction methods due to the decreased need for transportation of raw materials and construction time, the statement continued.

“The 3D Concrete Printing Lab represents a significant step forward in the field of construction technology. With this facility, we seek to provide our students and faculty with the tools and resources to explore new ideas and push the boundaries of what is possible in this field,” stated ADU Chancellor Professor Ghassan Aouad.

In late October 2022, SCIB announced the completion of the first 3D printed house in Borneo.

The Lab is said to be the fruit of the ADU’s recent win in the ASPIRE grant awarded by the Advanced Technology Research Council in the UAE, it added.

The research team led by Dr Samer Al Martini, Associate Professor of Civil Engineering at ADU and Dr. Reem Sabouni, Associate Professor, received a grant to study the application of 3D concrete technology for the UAE construction industry to help in promoting sustainability in the UAE’s construction sectors.

The lab is said to provide faculty and students with state-of-the-art 3D printing equipment, including the 3D Concrete Gantry Lab printer. The printer, said to be the first of its type in a university lab in the UAE, can produce various lab scale concrete structural elements (e.g., columns, beams, walls) in different shapes and sizes. Through similar innovative learning opportunities, ADU aims to foster innovation and creativity in the fields of 3D concrete printing and sustainability among its students, the statement continued.

“At ADU, we maximise our innovation efforts to provide students, faculty and the wider UAE community with sustainable and inclusive solutions to industry-focused challenges. Additionally, we aim to provide a well-rounded educational experience and the latest innovative technologies to develop our student’s futuristic skillset and prepare a generation of researchers and innovators,” Aouad remarked.

In early November 2022, Dar Al Arkan completed the Kingdom’s first 3DCP villa.

The Lab will also contribute to ADU’s environmental sustainability efforts by reducing waste and material usage, promoting energy efficiency, and encouraging innovative designs among faculty and students. It will also help provide more inclusive environment for females to participate in a male-dominated industry as 3D Concrete printing is a less labour-intensive construction technique relying more on technology.

In late November 2022, GUtech 3D said it had printed three structures in eight days in Oman.

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The second edition of Big Project Middle East’s annual Energy & Sustainability Summit (E&S Summit) will take place on 3 May in Dubai, and will offer key insights from government and industry bodies, as well as green energy, construction and technology firms.

In line with UAE President His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan announcing 2023 as the ‘Year of Sustainability’, and the city of Dubai hosting the 2023 UN Climate Change Conference (UNFCCC COP 28) from 30 November to 12 December 2023, the E&S Summit will focus on the impact of COP28 on the regional construction industry, green hydrogen, and developing the GCC as a global hub for clean energy.

The E&S Summit is free to attend for industry professionals, and will comprise several panel discussions, presentations, and focused fireside chats from high profile regional personalities including key decisionmakers, while also offering highly value networking and sponsorship opportunities.

“The 2022 Energy & Sustainability Summit was a tremendous success, and we look forward to building on that event with the 2023 edition, as the Middle East continues its push towards clean energy and sustainable development. While much has already been said and done around these topics, there’s still a long road ahead, which is why we are eager for the 2023 E&S Summit to become a nexus of discussions and a driver of change,” said Jason Saundalkar, Head of Content at Big Project Middle East.

The first edition of the summit took place on 21 June in Dubai at St Regis – The Palm, in response to a pronounced GCC-wide drive towards green energy and sustainable development.

The event saw participation from several organisations including the Emirates Green Building Council, The Red Sea Development Company, ECC and Saif Air Tech – A Fakhruddin Holding Company, and many others. Check out the event’s image gallery here.

To discuss participating at the event as a speaker, contact conference producer Jason Saundalkar on Jason.s@cpitrademedia.com, while sponsorship inquires can be addressed to Raed Kaedbey (raed.kaedbey@cpitrademedia.com) and Madeleine Martin (madeleine.martin@cpitrademedia.com).

To find out more about the E&S Summit, click here.

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