Recycled french fry oil to power McDonald's trucks

McDonald’s is planning to convert its entire 80-plus truck fleet in the United Arab Emirates to run on 100% biodiesel, it said.

The fast-food giant, in cooperation with Neutral Fuels, will be using its own used vegetable oil as the base stock for the fuel.

Neutral Fuels is a joint venture between the Neutral Group, an international cleantech company, and an Emirati member of Dubai SME, which is part of Dubai FDI, Dubai’s official foreign investment office and an agency of the Dept. of Economic Development. Neutral Fuels will be the first producer of 100% biodiesel in the UAE.

“Neutral Fuels LLC and McDonald’s UAE have formed a unique synergy that promotes business as well asconservation. It is a testament to the innovative opportunities presented by Dubai for profitable investment, business growth and commercial application of state-of-the-art technologies. It also underscores the argument that sustainability makes good business sense,” said Fahad Al Gergawi, CEO of Dubai FDI.

According to McDonald’s, test vehicles running on 100% biodiesel have needed no modification and have performed well.

“As a founder of the CSR Network and partner of EEG (Emirates Environment Group), McDonald’s UAE has demonstrated a passionate and long-term commitment to investing in environmental initiatives. We are proud to be the first McDonald’s in the region to adopt this exciting environmental initiative, in collaboration with our trusted partners DED and Neutral Fuels LLC.We believe it is a step in the right direction towards a more environmentally-friendly UAE, and we would encourage other public and private companies to do the same,” said Rafic Fakih, managing director and partner of McDonald’s UAE.