Qatar Shell Research and Technology Centre (QSRTC), in collaboration with Texas A&M University at Qatar (TAMUQ), Qatar University (QU) and the Ministry of Municipality (MoM), celebrated the conclusion of a ground-breaking research project supported by QNRF to repurpose industrial waste generated at the Pearl gas-to-liquids plant (Pearl GTL) in Ras Laffan.
The multi-year research project has achieved a breakthrough in converting biosludge, an organic-rich by-product of the Pearl GTL process, into a valuable soil enhancer for non-edible agricultural crops in Qatar. Historically consigned to landfills, this biosludge can now serve a sustainable purpose, marking a significant milestone in environmental stewardship.
Foteini Nikolopoulou, vice-president HSSE Qatar and Pearl GTL Operations – Shell, highlighted the project’s importance, stating: “The biosludge generated at Pearl GTL is rich in organic matter. By diverting it from landfills and exploring its potential as a soil enhancer, the project is making a positive contribution to our sustainability goals in Qatar. This collaboration has been successfully applied by working together with our key stakeholders, who are experts in the field.”
Hamad Al Shemari, director of the Agricultural Research Department at the Ministry of Municipality, emphasised Qatar’s commitment to advancing agricultural research aimed at repurposing waste.
Highlighting Qatar’s global leadership in LNG production, he also stressed the nation’s endeavour to explore sustainable methods for utilising waste from its industrial sector, making a substantial contribution to the preservation of the local environment.
Shemari expressed pleasure in collaborating with esteemed partners on this impactful project.
The biosludge used in this study originates from industrial process water. Scientists ensure its safety for non-edible agricultural use by eliminating pathogens commonly found in municipal biosludge.
A pivotal aspect of the project involves assessing the viability of using biosludge for cultivating cash crops like cotton. This is particularly significant for Qatar, given its infertile land and its rank as the world’s second-largest consumer of fertiliser per hectare of agricultural land.
Dr Sabah Solim, Research Programme Lead at Shell, emphasised the long-term goal of this type of work.
“As we celebrate the successful conclusion of this transformative project, Qatar Shell, alongside its partners, remains dedicated to fostering innovation and sustainable practices. This collaborative endeavour exemplifies a commitment to driving positive change and aligns with Qatar’s vision for a more sustainable future,” Dr Solim said.
Source: Qatar Tribune
Place Vendôme, a mixed-use mall development located in the city of Lusail in Qatar, is set to revolutionise waste management by implementing a pneumatic waste collection system (PWCS). The project, covering a total build-up area of 1,150,000 m², has been entrusted to United Developers under the guidance of local investors who are experts in real estate, retail, construction, and contracting.
The multifunctional structure, situated 11 km from the centre of Doha, comprises three five-star hotels, serviced apartments, 560 different retail outlets, and an open plaza surrounded by cafes and restaurants, offering a view of a canal with dancing fountain shows. The PWCS, designed to serve retail, leisure, and entertainment areas, eliminates the need for manual waste transportation at the mall, improving user well-being.
The PWCS uses a network of underground pipes to transport waste directly from the retail outlets and hotels to a central waste collection point. This makes the ambience more spacious, with hallways, elevators, and corridors free of garbage bins and waste vehicles. The system also reduces the manual labour required for waste collection and eliminates the need for large garbage trucks to navigate busy corridors. The PWCS is designed to be environmentally friendly, reducing carbon emissions by up to 90% by eliminating the need for heavy vehicles and plastic waste associated with traditional garbage bags.
Envac’s cutting-edge technology is a bold statement of the mall’s unwavering commitment to sustainability and innovation. By improving the experience for visitors and tenants, the PWCS elevates the already luxurious atmosphere of Place Vendôme to new heights. Its valuable addition cements the mall’s position as a premier destination for those seeking the very best.
The plan is to use Envac’s Automation Platform to boost resource recovery rates by separating general and recyclable waste using a two-fraction system. Waste will be directed to separate inlets and stored temporarily until a collection cycle is triggered. Envac’s system eliminates the need for waste collection trucks to enter the development and adapts to waste volume during peak times.
“We want to express our sincere appreciation for the excellent partnership with Envac in the Lusail Project over the past year. Place Vendôme Qatar is committed to its guests and tenants, especially during significant events, and the Envac team has consistently delivered the PWCS works with positivity and rapid responsiveness. Envac actively operated the PWCS plant from the Lusail Command and Control Centre during the successful hosting of the Qatar 2022 FIFA World Cup last year. We want to thank Envac for their ongoing commitment to providing Place Vendôme’s PWCS projects with diligent and competent service. We look forward to continuing this important cooperation in the future.” – Mohamed Hamdi, Head of Operations, United Developers, Qatar
“Incorporating Envac’s technology in Place Vendôme is a testament to the mall’s commitment to sustainability and innovation. The system’s implementation will improve user well-being and ambience, reduce carbon emissions, and enhance resource recovery rates. United Developers and the owners of Place Vendôme are committed to establishing an innovative and sustainable city aligned with Lusail’s broader vision. We are grateful for this fruitful partnership.” – James Fullerton, Managing Director, Envac Middle East
Region Press Contact:
James Fullerton
Mobile: +971 506 001 995
Office: +971 458 471 11
Email: james.fullerton@envac.ae
QIIB has published its inaugural ‘Sustainable Finance Framework’, which aims to finance projects that contribute to positive environmental and social benefits.
QIIB can leverage on the framework to issue green, social or sustainability-labelled sukuk and other financing products that are aligned with the International Capital Market Association (ICMA)’s Green Bond Principles, Social Bond Principles, and Sustainability Bond Guidelines, as well as the Green Loan Principles and Social Loan principles, published by the Loan Market Association (LMA), the Asia Pacific Loan Market Association (APLMA) and the Loan Syndications & Trading Association (LSTA).
The framework includes eligible green project categories related to renewable energy, clean transportation, energy efficiency, green buildings, pollution prevention and control, environmentally sustainable management of living natural resources and land use, sustainable water and wastewater management; and eligible social project categories related to employment generation, and programmes designed to prevent and/or alleviate, unemployment stemming from socio-economic crises, access to essential services, affordable basic infrastructure.
QIIB has obtained a second party opinion (SPO) from Sustainable Fitch, which evaluated the framework as being aligned with the relevant sustainable finance market principles.
The framework is aligned with QIIB’s ESG strategic dimensions, which has been developed in alignment with the Qatar National Vision (QNV) 2030, across environmental, social, governance and economic pillars. A core element of QIIB’s contribution to QNV 2030 includes financing of SMEs to build a vibrant economy through promoting diversification and private sector development.
Hossam Khattab, CFO and SFWG committee member, said, “As a pioneering financial institution committed to responsible and sustainable banking practices, we are thrilled to unveil our new Sustainable Finance Framework for our sukuk programme. “This framework underscores our dedication to aligning our operations with global sustainability goals while contributing to Qatar’s economic development, which consider a significant stride towards fostering a sustainable future in line with QNV 2030”.
In setting up its inaugural Sustainable Finance Framework, QIIB has received support from Standard Chartered Bank as sole sustainability structuring bank.
Source: Gulf Times
Doha Festival City, Qatar’s ultimate destination for shopping, dining, and entertainment, has received two KAHRAMAA awards for energy conservation and sustainable transportation, alongside recognition from Al Daayen Municipality for its overall environmental sustainability efforts, further highlighting the mall’s commitment to eco-friendly practices.
At the Tarsheed Energy Efficiency Forum, organized by the Qatar General Electricity and Water Corporation (KAHRAMAA), Doha Festival City was honored with the Tarsheed Conserving Building Competition Award, recognizing its sustainable building practices and significant efforts in energy conservation. Additionally, the mall received the Tarsheed Partner in EV Charging Innovation Award, highlighting its contributions to establishing electric vehicle (EV) charging stations and promoting sustainable transportation infrastructure – allocating EV charging stations at 46 parking bays for 2023 and will grow to 58 parking bays by Q1 of 2024.
The accolades continued as Doha Festival City was also recognized at the “Together Towards Sustainability” event hosted by the Al Daayen Municipality. Held at the Conference Center, Expo Doha, Cultural Area, Bidda Park, this event celebrated the contributions of various organizations to sustainability, with Doha Festival City standing out for its exemplary commitment and initiatives in promoting environmental sustainability.
Robert Hall, General Manager of Doha Festival City, expressed his gratitude for these recognitions. “These awards are a testament to our dedication to sustainability and innovation. Being acknowledged by esteemed organizations like KAHRAMAA and the Al Daayen Municipality is an honor and motivates us to continue our efforts towards a sustainable future, in line with Qatar’s vision for environmental stewardship,” he said.
Recently, Doha Festival City has been honored as the 2023 Qatar Tourism winner for ‘Outstanding Service Excellence – Shopping Mall’ and ‘Outstanding Smart Solutions – Innovative Solutions in Sustainability,’ in recognition of its exceptional sustainability efforts.
The mall has demonstrated environmental leadership, notably reducing wet waste through Food Digester Machines and achieving a 30% energy saving. Additionally, Doha Festival City boasts a GSAS Design & Build 3-star certification, underscoring its proactive approach to sustainable operations. These measures showcase the mall’s dedication to sustainable practices, aligning with Qatar’s vision for a greener future.
AI-driven global cleantech company Sparklo has announced installing 1,000 reverse vending machines (RVMs) – known as Sparklomats – in popular public areas throughout the MENA, leading a sustainability wave in the region.
The company said its innovative solutions have inspired users to place 1 bottle every 3 seconds and 30,000 plastic bottles and aluminum cans daily in MENA.
The company said Sparklomats have already been installed in parts of Abu Dhabi and Dubai in the UAE as well as Saudi Arabia and Qatar, and thousands of such machines will be installed in more cities and countries in the next few years.
Sparklo’s reward app incentivises recycling
In the UAE, Sparklo said its reward app already hit the 6thspot on the top 10 most popular lifestyle apps.
The company’s RVMs allow people to easily recycle plastic bottles and aluminum cans. Users also receive rewards in the mobile app whenever they place an empty bottle or a can, which can be exchanged for discount vouchers for food, delivery services and other special offers.
“Our goal is to collect all the plastic bottles and recyclables in the MENA region,” said Maxim Kaplevich, owner and CEO of Sparklo.
Kaplevich said the company aims to revolutionise recycling and integrate it into the fabric of society’s lifestyle by incorporating elements of education and entertainment.
Sustainability wave in the MENA
The company said its commitment to sustainability and innovation has already garnered support from key industry leaders in the MENA region, enabling it to install its RVMs at retail chains, shopping centers, gas stations, and hotels.
The company began operating in the MENA region in the UAE’s ‘Year of Sustainability’ with its game-changing software and hardware solutions for waste management on a worldwide scale. With plans to tackle the ever-pressing challenges of plastic and aluminum waste head-on, the company is creating groundbreaking global infrastructure and paving the way for a sustainable and eco-friendly future in the Middle East.
The company has also developed an AI-powered software system for the Sparklomats which utilises machine learning algorithms to optimise the recycling process.
By leveraging artificial intelligence, the reverse vending machine can accurately identify and sort recyclables, improving efficiency and reducing contamination. This technology enables the maximisation of the recycling potential of each item.
Globally, with the help of the machine, the company has collected 35 million recyclables, 26 million plastic bottles and 8.6 million aluminum cans, making a significant positive impact on the environment.
According to recent data, 4 billion plastic bottles are consumed annually in the UAE and about 40 percent of all plastic in the country is single-use.
Source: Arabian Business
“We look forward to holding the Sustainable Development Goals Summit next September, and we see it as a unique and important milestone in our collective efforts,” Sheikha Alya Ahmed bin Saif Al-Thani, Qatar’s permanent representative to the UN, said during the Economic and Social Council Forum on Financing for Development Follow-up 2023.
She highlighted Qatar’s continued efforts to offer help and conduct development initiatives to benefit millions of people worldwide during the meeting, Qatar News Agency reported on Sunday.
Qatar contributed more than $551 million for development projects and humanitarian aid in 2021, she added, while it was reiterated that in implementation of the goals of sustainable development, partnership for development was a top priority.
Sheikha Alya hailed the strategic partnership between Qatar and the UN, which culminated in the opening of the UN House in Doha, in March.
She went on to say that Qatar was honored to host the fifth UN Conference on the Least Developed Countries that month, during which Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al-Thani offered a financial contribution of $60 million.
Qatar is the founder of the UNDP Accelerator Lab Network, into which it has invested $30 million.
Sheikha Alya added that Qatar has signed more than 50 bilateral agreements to encourage investment in developing countries, with the goal of revitalizing global partnerships for sustainable development through supplying financial resources to developing countries through remittances for expatriate workers.
Source: Arab News
Hilton, in partnership with the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) West Asia, Winnow and Goumbook, has announced the launch of Green Ramadan, an initiative which will see food waste reduction efforts implemented at hotels across several key markets in the Middle East, including Waldorf Astoria Lusail Doha in Qatar, Conrad Dubai in the UAE, and Hilton Riyadh Hotel & Residences in Saudi Arabia.
With reports from UNEP West Asia showing that food waste increases by 25% – 50% in the region during religious and social festivities, Hilton is introducing measures to minimise waste during the holy month of Ramadan and drive awareness around local sourcing and food waste. The initiative is in line with Hilton’s Travel with Purpose 2030 Goals to reduce food waste sent to landfill by 50%.
The partnership will combine Hilton’s drive towards a net zero future, UNEP’s ‘Recipe of Change’ food waste reduction campaign, Goumbook’s local sustainability expertise, and Winnow’s AI technology – allowing for digitally-led tracking of food waste throughout Ramadan. In doing so, Hilton will gather data to predict future procurement and production needs while also minimising its long-term environmental impact.
As part of the initiative, participating Hilton hotels across Qatar, the UAE and Saudi Arabia will compost excess food waste, prioritise local food sourcing within a 50-mile radius, promote plant-based dishes, restrict plastic use across operations, and partner with food banks.
In Qatar, Waldorf Astoria Lusail Doha will offer guests a tasteful dining experience at Bywater Restaurant with breathtaking views of the stunning Arabian Gulf. The restaurant takes pride in serving locally sourced produce from the Al Wabra Farm, showcasing a meticulously crafted menu that plays an active role in reducing food-related emissions. The hotel has also partnered with the Hifz Alnaema Food Bank to reinforce charitable giving during the holy month.
In the UAE, Al-Wāha by Conrad Dubai will feature local produce from Fresh on Table, and an innovative plant-based section with a thoughtfully curated menu that helps to significantly cut food-related emissions. The hotel is also partnering with the UAE Food Bank to reinforce charitable giving by donating 100 meals per day throughout Ramadan. Conrad Dubai will also compost food waste from Al-Wāha through The Waste Lab.
Meanwhile in Saudi Arabia, Hilton Riyadh Hotel & Residences will take guests on a gastronomic journey at Amara, its Ramadan tent, which will feature local produce from Nadec and Pure Harvest Smart Farms as part of a thoughtfully curated menu that helps to significantly cut food-related emissions. The hotel is also partnering with the Ita’am Food Bank to reinforce charitable giving and will donate 100 meals per day throughout Ramadan. Additionally, the hotel will collaborate with Black Cow to collect and compost Iftar buffet leftovers to be used as organic fertilisers locally.
Emma Banks, vice president, F&B strategy & development, EMEA, Hilton, said, “As a global hospitality brand, Hilton has a responsibility to lead the industry in the pursuit of sustainable solutions. We are delighted to embrace the holy month of Ramadan with the introduction of the Green Ramadan initiative. Our partner, Winnow, will play a crucial role in this digital-first approach by collecting food waste data and using it to inform our local procurement requirements while working closely with our partner Goumbook to ensure an educated approach towards the implemented sustainable practices. We’re also aligning closely with UNEP West Asia’s ongoing ‘Recipe of Change’ campaign aimed at reducing food waste across the value chain”.
“We hope that Hilton’s Green Ramadan initiative will set the standard for years to come by encouraging local food sourcing and reducing food waste,” said Banks.
Mr. Sami Dimassi, UNEP representative and regional director, West Asia, said, “We are very pleased to collaborate with Hilton to activate this campaign across its key markets in the Middle East. Reducing food waste is not only about saving food, but also about saving resources. The only way forward is to work hand-in-hand by engaging the local community, private sector, and influencers. Today, every plate counts and so does every wasted plate. Let us all fight food waste and work towards a more sustainable future”.
Marc Zornes, CEO and co-founder, Winnow, said, “Winnow is delighted to partner with Hilton, Goumbook and UNEP West Asia on this initiative during Ramadan. Food waste is an important area of interest for the region from a social and environmental perspective. Our intention is for this collaboration to be underpinned by real-world data and behavioural science, offering a playbook for the industry to tackle food waste”.
Tatiana Antonelli, founder and managing director, Goumbook, said, “We are thrilled to collaborate with Hilton on their Green Ramadan initiative alongside UNEP West Asia and Winnow. With food waste almost doubling in the holy month of Ramadan, there is a great opportunity to raise awareness and spotlight the benefits of local sourcing and food waste management. As we look forward to COP28 happening in the Middle East later in 2023, this is our chance to address the need to instill change and drive action”.
Source: Hilton
Qatar has kickstarted a proactive drive to strengthen the domestic debt market in light of the “encouraging” potential for local bonds and Sukuks, announcing $75 billion in investments in sustainable finance this year.
“There is an active drive in Qatar to strengthen the domestic debt capital market to diversify sources of funding and expand sustainable finance solutions,” Qatar Financial Authority chief executive officer Yousuf Mohamed al-Jaida Monday told Qatar Financial Market Forum.
“It is a part of a broader strategy to enhance the county’s capital market infrastructure and create a greener future in line with the Qatar National Vision 2030.”
Experts from around the world were in the Qatari capital for the Qatar Financial Market forum on Monday to take on the most pressing economic and banking issues.
Under the theme ‘From Sustainable Financing to Debt Capital Markets, Uncovering Solutions for the Future of Banking in Qatar,’ the forum is a collaboration between Bloomberg Intelligence, the research division of Bloomberg LP, and the Qatar Financial Centre.
Leaders and important stakeholders from private businesses, governmental organisations, and financial institutions landed in Doha for a day of discussion on important issues like bank funding, debt capital markets, and sustainable finance.
During the conference, Al-Jaida emphasised that the nation is drawing more and more foreign investors to its expanding equity market and that local bond and Sukuk issuances have an encouraging future.
“In general, Qatari issuers have been accessing the international debt capital market since the inaugural sovereign issuance in 2003 of $700mn Sukuk, marking the first-ever sovereign Sukuk issuance from the region,” he added.
In addition, the official said major banks and financial stakeholders in the country are launching initiatives that promote sustainable banking and financing. He cited QNB’s 2020 issuance of the nation’s first-ever green bond, worth $600 million, as an important milestone for the development of sustainable finance in Qatar.
He also said Masraf Al Rayan recently made history by becoming the first Islamic bank in Qatar to introduce a sustainable finance framework, providing investors with the environment, social, and governance (ESG)-linked funding opportunities and using the money raised to fund sustainable projects that adhere to ESG standards.
At Qatar Development Bank, borrowers who meet sustainability goals are offered a three-year grace period and a 20-year repayment period with discounted interest rates.
Meanwhile, Dukhan Bank and the Gulf Organization for Research and Development signed a memorandum of understanding to launch a Shariah-compliant green and sustainable real estate financing program at COP27.
Al-Jaida said this trend suggests significant efforts are placed in developing the local capital market and a commitment to adhering to ESG and sustainability principles to meet the growing need for sustainable financing. He said that by 2023, sustainable finance in Qatar is expected to offer $75 billion worth of investment opportunity.
He added that QFC collaborates with important government organisations like the Qatar Central Bank and Qatar Financial Markets Authority to ensure regulatory alignment and the seamless execution of national financial development priorities.
QFC and its regulator have played a significant role in Qatar’s capital market development journey over the years.
Additionally, he said, the QFC is continually enhancing its regulatory, legal, and tax frameworks to draw in and keep specialised financial players that both support and supplement the services provided by local banks.
Qatar is working to create a capital market that is more diverse.
The nation is poised to establish a niche sustainable finance market, which is expected to reach a global value of more than $22tn by 2031. This is thanks to established regulations for the governance of existing and new financial investments and ongoing efforts to adopt comprehensive approaches to capital market development.
Source: Doha News, Menatalla Ibrahim
With the Middle East at the forefront of innovation in the buildings and construction industry, companies around the region are using various tools to optimise waste, carbon emissions and the use of resources across project lifecycles.
Among them is HBK Contracting. The Qatari construction firm and the contractor behind the first fully demountable football stadium in FIFA World Cup history is a recent participant in the Living Business programme.
Living Business advises and supports corporate organizations on sustainability and on operating without negatively impacting the environment, community, or society as a whole.
Construction is a major contributor to global carbon emissions. According to the 2020 Global Status Report for Buildings and Construction, the sector accounted for 35% of final energy use and 38% of energy and process-related carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions in 2019.
Not only is the construction industry one of the top users of natural resources, but construction also creates an estimated third of the world’s overall waste.
For organisations such as HBK, sustainability is therefore a major imperative. The Qatar-based construction giant has been an active member of the Qatar Green Building Council for over a decade and its participation in the Living Business programme has confirmed the importance of embedding sustainability throughout its processes.
With a growing sustainability department supporting the strategy and roll out of better environmental practices across the organization, HBK Contracting has implemented sustainable design, engineering, and construction practices powered by relevant data to track, measure, and reduce emissions and waste.
“A waste is not a waste unless you waste it,” said Engr. Tushar Mondal, HBK’s Workshop Manager. “At HBK, we worked with this motto for our general waste management for years. Our main goal was optimum reduction, best possible reuse, systematic disposal and maximum recycling. By identifying our waste at the point of generation instead of at the disposal area, we were able to segregate and categorise our waste process properly.”
With help from the Living Business team, HBK Contracting was able to create a comprehensive waste management roadmap followed by a job safety analysis, an aspect-impact analysis and an intensive action plan. This project was mentored by Engr. Raid Hasan, Operation Manager (PMV Affairs) at HBK.
Recycling waste to generate new revenue streams
The firm’s PMV Division collected all the used filters from its construction projects across Qatar, and was able to recycle 100% of them at one of the largest state-of-the-art PMV logistics hubs in the Middle East and North Africa. The 120,000-sq-m PMV hub is located at Al Wakra Logistics Park in Qatar.
Filters comprise the largest quantity of hazardous waste products from construction operations, according to a detailed waste management study by HBK.
“Over 4,500 filters – for oil, fuel, air, and hydraulics – were recycled, thus reducing the quantity of hazardous waste stored at our facilities. This monthly waste disposal process used to cost us QR40,000, however, we are now making almost QR4,000 per month by selling recyclable steel extracted from the filter body after dismantling and segregating into three parts: steel body, strainer and filter paper,” added Mondal.
Among its initiatives to reduce its environmental footprint, the company has recycled several tonnes of hydraulic hoses, wood, aluminium, copper, scrap steel, and thousands of lead acid batteries. It has also implemented digital fleet route optimisation techniques. These efforts have won HBK the 2022 Living Business Award for Best ESG Project in Qatar in the general waste management category.
Mondal said: “We are truly honoured to win this valuable prize alongside prizes for the Best General Waste Management project and Best Employee Wellbeing project. Awards and accolades from authoritative entities only confirm that we are on the right track.”
HBK also has numerous achievements to its credit. The construction firm recently earned the ISO 29001 certificate. Other distinctions include the Green Award by Public Works Authority- ASGHAL and the International Safety Award by the British Council.
For HBK, sustainability is a journey, not a destination, Engr Raid said. Now the company is looking at new ways to further its environmental goals.
“Practising sustainability is a continuous and collective effort. We are currently closely monitoring the technical benefit, and cost-effectiveness, and refining our processes all over our workshop. We are expecting further improvements in this area by December 2023 and are actively putting effort to replace generators at our workshops with electricity supplied by Kahramaa only until we install solar panel grids to completely power our office and workshops,” Engr. Raid concluded.
GAC Qatar has opened a new sustainably-built 27,000 m2 multi-user contract logistics facility and office building in Ras Bufontas Free Zone, in partnership with Qatar Free Zones Authority (QFZA), adding to the company’s existing infrastructure and boosting customer services and offerings in local and international markets.
The new facility features up to 40,000 pallet positions, as well as four temperature and humidity-controlled chambers, to meet the requirements of a wide range of sectors, including food and beverages, fast-moving consumer goods, retail and telecommunications. It also features 500 m² of dedicated value-added services space and 2,000 m² of mezzanine storage to meet customers’ requirements and international quality standards.
Sustainability
GAC Qatar’s newest contract logistics facility and office building has been built with sustainable materials and methods, as well as the latest technology to ensure the company remains consistent with the wider GAC Group’s commitment to sustainability and innovation.
The facility has attained the Global Sustainability Assessment System (GSAS) certification and boasts several energy-saving features, such as environmentally friendly controlled thermal insulation, thermal transmittance technology, advanced building management systems and LED lighting with motion sensors. It is also partly powered by solar energy and uses 100% recycled water from in-built storage building air coolers.
Plans are also in the pipeline to improve the facility further with the installation of solar panels, a sanitary wastewater treatment plant for irrigation, and a plantation and irrigation system that requires low water consumption.
Strategic location
GAC Qatar’s newest facility is set to benefit from the Middle Eastern country’s advanced infrastructure, as well as its position within Qatar Free Zones. It is strategically located in Ras Bufontas Free Zone, next to Hamad International Airport and close to the Umm Al Houl Seaport Free Zone, placing the company in the ideal position to meet the growing demand for efficient and timely delivery of goods.
GAC Qatar General Manager Henrik Althen at the warehouse inauguration ceremony
“The purpose-built contract logistics facility is designed to maximise operational efficiencies and achieve higher productivity to provide quick turnaround time in a lean and agile manner to help customers achieve their supply chain goals,” says Adrian Peiris, Business Manager for Contract Logistics at GAC Qatar.
Henrik Althén, GAC Qatar’s General Manager, adds: “We are excited to reach this latest milestone in our expansion. The opening of the new facility and office building signifies our continued commitment to delivering end-to-end shipping and logistics support from a strategic location for our customers locally, regionally and internationally.”
GAC Qatar’s operations are ISO 9001, 14001 and 45001 accredited, and its latest site will ensure the company continues to deliver world-class services built on quality, safety and sustainability.
Sustainability
GAC Qatar’s newest contract logistics facility and office building has been built with sustainable materials and methods, as well as the latest technology to ensure the company remains consistent with the wider GAC Group’s commitment to sustainability and innovation.
The facility has attained the Global Sustainability Assessment System (GSAS) certification and boasts several energy-saving features, such as environmentally friendly controlled thermal insulation, thermal transmittance technology, advanced building management systems and LED lighting with motion sensors. It is also partly powered by solar energy and uses 100% recycled water from in-built storage building air coolers.
Plans are also in the pipeline to improve the facility further with the installation of solar panels, a sanitary wastewater treatment plant for irrigation, and a plantation and irrigation system that requires low water consumption.
