Al Ghurair Foods works with environment agencies to reduce carbon footprint by 76 per cent and help preserve UAE's environment and promote green economy
Important Note
1. Food producers need to become greener by reducing their carbon footprint
2. Al Ghurair Foods represents only 0.3% of UAE's carbon emissions
3. Company's bio-filter project reduced ammonia emissions by 95%
Dubai, UAE
Responsible food production and green farming could help the UAE reduce its dependence on imported food as well as reduce its carbon emissions -- making the economy more sustainable, officials at Al Ghurair Foods -- part of Al Ghurair Investment LLC, says.
Al Ghurair Foods, which operates the largest poultry farms in the UAE, set up its flagship Al Ghurair Foods Poultry Farm in 2003 with an investment of Dh140 million that currently produces 210 million eggs and reduces the country's dependence on foreign poultry products. Located in the foothills of the Masafi Mountains at Kadra in Ras Al Khaimah, it is an integrated green poultry farm consisting of a feed mill, manure production, chicken rearing, egg production, packing, marketing and distribution.
The company last year commissioned a bio-filtration project to reduce ammonia emission, smell and environmental pollution that resulted in 95 per cent reduction in ammonia emission from 97.54 metric tonnes a year to just 188 kilogrammes a year.
With the bio-filtration project, Al Ghurair Foods Poultry Farm has reduced its ammonia emission level to 1.2 ppm down from 10 ppm -- much lower than the government regulatory ceiling of 2ppm -- thus making it an ideal green poultry farm.
The project was undertaken in line with the vision of the Environment Protection and Development Authority of Ras Al Khaimah to maintain a healthy environment across the emirate.
Through its recycling programme, Al Ghurair Foods Poultry Farm has reduced recyclable waste to landfill by 350 metric tonnes.
"Protection of the environment should not only become a part of our business processes, but our way of life and by creating a green production plant, Al Ghurair Foods Poultry Farm has taken a leadership role in developing green farms," Zakaria Aakil, Chief Executive Officer of Al Ghurair Foods, says.
"This comes at a time when the Dubai Government is promoting green economic practices very aggressively to ensure a healthy and happy lifestyle for all citizens as the country continuously improves its position in the global happiness index. The transformation of Al Ghurair Foods Poultry Farm in to a green plant is a reflection of our corporate commitment to our society, government vision and environment and we would like to continue to push the limits of environmental sustainability."
Al Ghurair Foods Poultry Farm has incorporated the latest poultry technology to provide the best poultry products to the consumers of the UAE. It has recently started to produce Omega eggs as our commitment towards improving the nation's health.
This is one example of how Al Ghurair Investment creates additional value for the UAE society and the nation and the well-being of its consumers in a responsible and sustainable manner.
The company supported the Environment Protection and Development Authority in its Third International Conference on Global Warming: Food Security. All of these efforts are also in line with the objectives of the Environment Protection and Development Authority. As a UAE national company, it wants to engage in responsible business practices that support the UAE's greater economic vision and ensures social sustainability.
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Al Ghurair Investment LLC is one of the largest diversified industrial enterprises in the Middle East, with global reach and business roots stretching back half a century. The group has interests in wider economic areas with focus on foods, construction, resources and properties with additional sector participation in retail, printing, energy and education.
Al Ghurair Investment LLC, that has a strong presence in more than 20 countries on four continents, is synonymous with the UAE and has been part of its rich heritage. With a history of pioneering innovative businesses built upon excellence, trust and responsibility, the company is fully committed to enhancing life in the communities that it serves.
For more information, please contact:
Sameera Fernandes
Head of Corporate Affairs and Communications
Al Ghurair Investment LLC
P.O. Box: 6999, Dubai, UAE
Tel : +971 4 2029783
Fax : +971 4 2942664
Email : Sameera.Fernandes@al-ghurair.com
Web : www.al-ghurair.com
© Press Release 2015
