UAE's first EV battery recycling facility to open in Sharjah

A deal has been struck to build the nation's first electric vehicle battery recycling facility.

BEEAH Recycling along with the UAE Ministry of Energy and Infrastructure (MOEI) and the American University of Sharjah will collaborate on the new facility.

The EV battery recycling facility will be added to BEEAH Recycling's integrated waste management complex, which currently has 10 specialised waste processing and material recovery facilities.

They have contributed to a 76 per cent waste diversion rate in Sharjah, the highest in the Middle East.

The agreement was signed during the 2023 World Future Energy Summit in Abu Dhabi.

Khaled Al Huraimel, Group CEO of BEEAH Group, highlighted how their "efforts will realise the sustainable, zero-waste and net-zero growth of the EV market, which aligns with the national, regional and global sustainability agenda".

Sharif Salim Al Olama, Undersecretary of Energy and Petroleum Affairs, Ministry of Energy and Infrastructure, said "ensuring future readiness and preparedness for the electric vehicle market ties closely with the ministry's objective on enhancing energy and infrastructure for the UAE. 

"Our exploration will also be aligned with the national and global sustainability agenda, which prioritises achieving net-zero emissions, diverting waste from landfill and creating a circular economy."

Prof. Sanchez, Provost of American University of Sharjah, said the project will help make EVs more affordable and sustainable in the long run, protect the environment from toxicities and supply raw materials for battery manufacturing. 

The UAE has witnessed a rising number of people trading their traditional vehicles to electric, with a 2022 study showing that over 30 per cent were considering making the switch.