Al Ghurair Foods, a prominent food processing company in the UAE, has commenced the construction of the region’s first state-of-the-art Corn Starch Manufacturing Plant at Khalifa Economic Zones Abu Dhabi (KEZAD). This landmark facility marks a significant milestone in enhancing the UAE’s food production capabilities and supporting the nation’s National Strategy for Food Security.
Situated on a sprawling 13.6-hectare site in KEZAD Area A – Al Ma’mourah, the new plant is poised to serve both local and international markets. It will be equipped with cutting-edge technologies designed to produce a variety of products, including native and modified starches, glucose syrups, and maltodextrin. These products will cater to a wide range of sectors, such as food and beverages, pharmaceuticals, and various industrial applications.
Speaking on the occasion, Mohamed Al Khadar Al Ahmed, CEO of KEZAD Group, expressed his support for the project: “KEZAD Group commends Al Ghurair on the groundbreaking of the Corn Starch Manufacturing plant. Al Ghurair’s vision aligns with our own, as well as that of Abu Dhabi’s leadership, in enhancing food security across the region and creating new job opportunities. This cutting-edge facility will significantly bolster our domestic production capabilities, and we at KEZAD Group are proud to be part of this transformative journey.”
John Iossifidis, Group CEO of Al Ghurair, highlighted the strategic importance of the new plant: “We’re extremely proud to break ground on this new venture under Al Ghurair Foods, which represents another significant step in our journey to support the UAE’s food security ambitions. As the first facility of its kind in the region, this project not only enhances our production capabilities but also reinforces our commitment to pioneering innovative solutions in the industry. By investing in cutting-edge technology and collaborating with local partners such as KEZAD, we continue to play a pivotal role in driving sustainable growth and ensuring the nation’s self-sufficiency in essential food categories.”
The plant will initially have a processing capacity of 650 tons of corn per day, with plans to scale up to 1,000 tons daily as market demand increases. This ambitious project is expected to generate significant employment opportunities, creating over 200 jobs for the local workforce.
Turgut Yegenaga, CEO of Al Ghurair Foods and Al Ghurair Resources International, underscored the plant’s role in advancing the company’s technological and environmental goals: “This facility represents a pivotal advancement for Al Ghurair Foods, showcasing our commitment to leveraging the latest technologies for unmatched efficiency, precision, and product quality. By integrating advanced automation, we are optimising our production processes while also significantly reducing waste and energy consumption. This project reinforces our role in shaping a robust and self-sufficient food system in the UAE, while setting new industry standards for excellence.”
The groundbreaking ceremony for the Corn Starch Manufacturing Plant follows closely on the heels of another significant project by Al Ghurair Foods — the establishment of a Broiler Farm at KEZAD in May. The construction of the plant is supported by leading industry experts, including Sigma Process Technology for starch processing consultancy, SDV Consulting Engineering as the project’s engineering consultant, and Freiburg Consulting & General Maintenance overseeing the construction.
