This strategic partnership is in response to the UAE’s COP28 agenda and is aligned with the nation’s Net Zero by 2050 Strategic Initiative, Circular Economy Policy, and the drive for emissions-free mobility with innovative solutions.
Lohum Cleantech, a company specializing in sustainable energy transition materials, has announced plans to establish the first electric vehicle (EV) battery recycling plant in the UAE. This initiative is the result of a collaborative agreement with the UAE’s Ministry of Energy & Infrastructure and BEEAH, a leading figure in sustainability and digitalization in the Middle East. As the inaugural battery lifecycle management company in the UAE, Lohum will integrate recycling, repurposing, and cell manufacturing operations under a single umbrella.
The venture involves creating an 80,000-square-foot facility dedicated to refurbishing and recycling lithium batteries in the UAE. This plant is designed to recycle 3,000 tonnes of lithium-ion batteries annually and repurpose 15MWh of battery capacity into sustainable Energy Storage Systems (ESS) each year. This capacity is anticipated to fulfil over 80% of the currently expected demands for EV battery management in the region.
This initiative further supports the UAE’s commitment to achieving net zero emissions by 2050, as the Lohum facility is expected to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 30,000 tons annually, according to a press release.
Rajat Verma, the Founder and CEO of Lohum, commented on the partnership’s alignment with their goal of aiding nations and companies globally in reducing their carbon footprint, particularly in the clean energy transition sector.
Sharif Al Olama, Under-Secretary for Energy and Petroleum Affairs at the Ministry of Energy & Infrastructure, highlighted the Ministry’s commitment to supporting the plant as part of the Global EV Market initiative, which aims to increase EVs to 50% of all vehicles in the UAE by 2050. He emphasized the project’s role in providing sustainable solutions for end-of-life EV batteries, addressing environmental and logistical challenges.
Khaled Al Huraimel, Group CEO of BEEAH, remarked on the plant’s contribution to reintroducing valuable minerals and materials into the circular economy, reducing landfill waste, and supporting the sustainable transition to EVs.