Pollution Control

Mai Dubai strives for sustainability

Mai Dubai’s fully automated facility in Dubai

The UAE has been proactive in sustainability initiatives, acknowledging the high risks of extreme heat waves, water scarcity and desertification if climate change impacts are not mitigated.

The country is the first to announce its Net Zero 2050 strategies with the collective objective to achieve net-zero emissions by 2050. The strategic initiative builds on the nation’s three decades of climate efforts and will guide the nation on its transition to clean energy and other climate change initiatives for the next three decades.

Mai Dubai CEO Alexander van’t Riet

Mai Dubai CEO Alexander van’t Riet

Joining the UAE government’s efforts is Mai Dubai, a leading bottled water company in the UAE and owned by Dubai Electricity and Water Authority (DEWA), which has been prioritising sustainability goals since it first opened in 2014. Within a span of less than ten years, it achieved major milestones in terms of going carbon neutral, the company’s top official said.

“Over the years, we have given utmost attention to investing in technology to enhance our processes and systems, while achieving its sustainability objectives,” Alexander van ’t Riet, CEO, Mai Dubai told the Gulf Industry.

 

CUTTING CARBON FOOTPRINT 

The company recently marked its second consecutive year of achieving a net-zero energy consumption and cutting down its overall carbon footprint.

“Mai Dubai has successfully marked over two consecutive years of net-zero energy consumption which has allowed us to cut down on our overall carbon footprint,” said van ’t Riet.

More than 52,000 rooftop solar power panels have been powering the Mai Dubai factory and onsite offices with clean energy since 2019. This has helped reduce the company’s CO2 emissions by over 13,432 metric tonnes in 2021 – which is equivalent to the carbon emissions produced from a passenger vehicle if driven for 33,757,274 miles.

Mai Dubai has collaborated with DGrade for recycling of PET bottles into fibres, flakes and yarns

Mai Dubai has collaborated with DGrade for recycling of PET bottles into fibres, flakes and yarns

“Since the beginning, we have been focused on sustainability and have upheld it as a cornerstone of our progress. We will continue to work towards maintaining and incorporating such environmentally conscious mechanisms in our functioning, while also ensuring that we maintain the highest standards in water quality,” Van ’t Riet added.

 

EXCESS ENERGY TO UAE

Mai Dubai’s rooftop solar panel installations produced more than 30 million kWh of energy in 2021, while consuming only 29 million kWh. The excess energy was exported into the DEWA power grid. The solar energy generation of the site is in line with the Mai Dubai commitment to contribute to the UAE’s efforts to increase its use of renewable energy. Even in 2020, the company’s solar panel installations generated 26 million kWh of electricity, and the remaining surplus of four million kWh was sent back to DEWA’s power grid.

 

LEED CERTIFIED

The company has further strengthened its sustainability initiatives by obtaining the coveted Gold Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) certification for its headquarters. “The certification reflects our commitment to work with the environment in mind,” van’t Riet said.

Recycling PETs

Aside from shifting to clean and renewable energy source, Mai Dubai collaborated with DGrade, a manufacturer of eco-friendly PET-based clothing, to support awareness campaigns and to expand the recycling activities.

“We have been innovating and enhancing our efforts to align with the changing sustainability trends in the Middle East. One such initiative has been our continued co-operation with DGrade, a company that transforms recyclable PET bottles into fibres, flakes, and yarns by collecting them at various initiatives such as the Dubai Half Marathon. These flakes and fibres are recycled into yarn, which can be used in the clothing industry to make items such as t-shirts. One t-shirt is made from roughly six PET bottles.”

 

sustainable solutions

Moving forward, the company says it intends to develop and deploy additional innovative solutions across its operations, since sustainability has been -and will continue- to be a top priority for the firm. “We are determined to align our strategies with government initiatives, driven by the belief that every effort counts as a positive contribution,” the CEO said.

“Mai Dubai is always on the lookout for new innovations that facilitate our sustainability endeavours. Every year, the company attends Wetex, the region’s largest sustainability and renewable technology exposition initiated by Dewa in 1999. We strive to ensure that this platform is utilised to scout for sustainable solutions that benefit the environment, increase efficiency, and further minimise our carbon footprint,” he concluded.