BEEAH Group, a leading sustainability organization in the Middle East, has entered into a significant partnership with Atkins, a global engineering and design consultancy. The two organizations have signed a Joint Development Agreement (JDA) to enhance collaboration and work together on projects related to the off-site treatment of radioactive waste generated by nuclear facilities in the UAE and the wider MENA region.
Under the JDA, Atkins will join forces with BEEAH Group to identify market opportunities for the development of advanced radioactive waste disposal facilities. This collaboration will encompass various aspects of waste management, including thermal treatment, size reduction, decontamination, assessment, and disposal. By combining their expertise, the aim is to establish sustainable and efficient solutions for managing radioactive waste in line with the highest international standards.
The agreement signing ceremony took place at the prestigious World Utilities Congress held in Abu Dhabi, UAE, further emphasizing the significance of this partnership in the field of waste management.
Khaled Al Huraimel, Group CEO of BEEAH Group, stated, "As a sustainability pioneer in the Middle East, BEEAH Group is committed to developing integrated waste management strategies that transform businesses and industries. Guided by our principle of zero waste, we strive to achieve total landfill waste diversion. Nuclear power plays a crucial role in the UAE energy diversification strategy and net-zero emissions initiative. In partnership with Atkins, we are proud to embark on integrated waste management solutions for the nuclear power industry, thus supporting the national sustainability agenda."
David Haboubi, Head of Nuclear and Net Zero Energy, Middle East and Africa at Atkins, expressed his enthusiasm for the collaboration, saying, "As a global leader in nuclear power end-to-end engineering and project management services, Atkins helps clients around the world safely treat nuclear waste and achieve significant environmental benefits. We are honored to collaborate with BEEAH and contribute our global expertise and regional knowledge, supported by digital solutions, to support the UAE long-term radioactive waste management strategy and goals in line with the highest quality, safety, and international environmental standards."
The collaboration between BEEAH Group and Atkins highlights the strong relationship between the UK and the UAE in sustainable waste management. Simon Penney, His Majesty Trade Commissioner, commented, "This announcement demonstrates the strength of the relationship between the UK and the UAE in sustainable waste management. I congratulate both Atkins and BEEAH on this collaboration, the benefits of which will reach across the MENA region."
BEEAH Group, established in 2007, is a prominent public-private partnership organization based in Sharjah, UAE, dedicated to pioneering sustainable living in the UAE and the region. Combining sustainability and digitalization, the organization has harnessed cutting-edge technologies to create end-to-end waste management value chains. Their integrated waste management strategies have achieved a remarkable 90% landfill waste diversion rate in Sharjah alone, setting a record in the Middle East. BEEAH Group has also expanded into critical industries for shaping a sustainable future, including renewable energy, technology, environmental consulting, education, transport, real estate, and healthcare.
Atkins, part of the SNC-Lavalin Group, boasts a rich heritage of over six decades in developing and licensing nuclear technology worldwide. Backed by extensive technical knowledge and a comprehensive Intellectual Property (IP) portfolio, Atkins offers a wide range of waste management technologies to address challenges throughout the nuclear lifecycle. These technologies encompass characterization, treatment, immobilization, packaging, storage, and disposal, ensuring the safe management of nuclear liabilities and environmental protection.
The collaboration between BEEAH Group and Atkins marks a significant step forward in transforming radioactive waste management practices in the MENA region.
