Fujairah: MENA Biofuels has formalised a landmark agreement with Saybolt International to establish the UAE's first independent Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) testing and certification laboratory in Fujairah. This development follows strategic meetings and collaborations during ADIPEC 2025.
According to Emirates News Agency, the new partnership underscores MENA Biofuels' progress in developing a fully integrated SAF value chain, including feedstock sourcing, production, testing, certification, and offtake. The laboratory will be located within the Fujairah Oil Industry Zone and will operate under internationally recognised standards, ensuring that UAE-produced SAF meets global aviation-fuel requirements for both domestic and export purposes.
Mohamed Saeed Al Raqbani, Chairman of MENA Biofuels, highlighted the importance of the partnership with Saybolt International in building a transparent and globally trusted SAF ecosystem. He stressed that the laboratory's location in Fujairah ensures each litre of SAF produced in the UAE is tested, verified, and certified to the highest international standards.
Gati Al Jebouri, Chief Executive Officer of MENA Biofuels, commented on the tangible progress achieved since ADIPEC 2025. He emphasised the collaboration's role in aligning technology, expertise, and shared purpose to ensure the UAE's SAF meets global benchmarks for quality and sustainability.
Peter Boks, President of Saybolt, noted the collaboration as a significant step in establishing a robust analytical framework for SAF in the region. He explained that the laboratory would be equipped with advanced instrumentation, providing precise characterisation of SAF properties, traceability of feedstock origins, and verification of lifecycle emissions. Saybolt aims to support regulatory compliance, facilitate global trade, and reinforce the integrity of the UAE's SAF value chain through independent certification and quality assurance.
The agreement is part of MENA Biofuels' broader strategy, which includes partnerships announced during ADIPEC 2025 and the Dubai Airshow. These partnerships, including offtake MoUs with Emarat, ENOC, ADNOC, and Evertree, establish a comprehensive framework covering feedstock, production, certification, and distribution. These initiatives reinforce the UAE's leadership in sustainable-fuel innovation and global aviation decarbonisation.
This milestone advances MENA Biofuels' mission to operationalise the UAE's first commercial SAF production facility in Fujairah, positioning the emirate as a regional hub for clean-fuel innovation, certification excellence, and export-grade quality assurance.