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New eco infrastructure facility will save nearly half a million tons of CO2 emissions every year

Riyadh, 11 September, 2023: Red Sea Global (RSG), the multi-project developer behind the world’s most ambitious regenerative tourism destinations, Amaala and The Red Sea, has entered into a 25-year concession agreement with the French multinational electric utility company EDF (Électricité de France) and leading clean energy company Masdar on a multi-utilities infrastructure facility to service the Amaala destination. 

Like its sister destination, The Red Sea, Amaala will be powered entirely by solar energy, saving the equivalent of nearly half a million tons of CO2 emissions every year. The new facility consists of an optimized off-grid renewable energy system, which generates energy from photovoltaic technology, and a battery energy storage solution that enables 24/7 power, plus a desalination plant and wastewater treatment plant, both powered by renewables.

said John Pagano, Group CEO of Red Sea Global. 

Amaala’s renewable supply system has the capacity to generate up to 410,000 MWh per annum - enough to power 10,000 households for an entire year. The system includes a 700 MWh battery storage facility, which ensures Amaala will be powered by renewables, day and night. There will also be a water desalination plant that uses reverse osmosis technology and has a capacity of 37 million liters of water per day.

The contract was procured in the model of an independent public-private partnership (PPP), covering the design, construction and operation of the systems providing utilities, accompanied by the associated networks and infrastructure.

Béatrice Buffon, Group Executive Vice-President in charge of EDF’s International Division, said:

Mohamed Jameel Al Ramahi, Chief Executive Officer of Masdar, said:

For this fully integrated utility project in partnership with Red Sea Global and EDF, we have brought together a suite of innovative solutions and technologies including solar, battery storage and desalination. It is a remarkable, unique project which will help drive sustainable economic development to the beautiful tourism destination of Amaala.

“The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia is a key strategic market for Masdar and as a leading renewable energy company and longstanding partner, we are committed to playing an important role in supporting the country’s Vision 2030 Strategy as it aims to meet its ambitious targets of delivering 50% of its energy needs from renewables by the end of the decade.

The utilities concession agreement between RSG, EDF and Masdar has an initial 25-year term with the option to extend and involves the financing, engineering, development, construction, operation, maintenance and transfer of a multi-utilities infrastructure facility.

While this deal helps Amaala reach its net-zero ambitions, the destination will go beyond sustainability to have a regenerative impact on the environment, with the aim of delivering a 30% net conservation benefit to local ecosystems by 2040. This will be achieved by enhancing biologically diverse habitats including mangroves, seagrass, corals and land vegetation that help biodiversity to flourish, while contributing to carbon sequestration efforts too.

Phase One of Amaala is focused on the Triple Bay masterplan and will be ready to welcome first guests in early 2025. Once complete, the destination will be home to more than 3,900 hotel rooms across 29 hotels and 1,200 high-end resident villas, apartments and estate homes, alongside high-end retail establishments, fine dining, wellness and recreational facilities.

It also includes a vibrant community for the more than 15,000 people who will live and work at Amaala when fully complete. 

Mariam bint Mohammed Almheiri, Minister of Climate Change and the Environment, inaugurated the region’s first project that will upcycle organic waste into high-quality products.

The venture by innovative homegrown startup Circa Biotech farms black soldier fly (BSF) larvae, fed by food leftovers before being turned into animal proteins, organic fertilisers, and oils.

During a tour of the company’s headquarters in Masdar City in Abu Dhabi, the Ministry of Climate Change and Environment (MOCCAE) signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with Circa Biotech to support the pioneering project.

Speaking at the inauguration, Almheiri said, "This agreement is part of the UAE’s ongoing drive to enhance food security and sustainability based on innovation, green development, and climate change mitigation. The project leverages nature-based solutions to address challenges resulting from the accumulation of organic waste. This way, it creates sustainable economic opportunities that strengthen the resilience of our food supply chain while transforming waste from an environmental burden into an economic resource."

She added, "The world is witnessing a rise in capital funding for insect farming companies. In the UAE, we consider support for innovation and R&D a foundation for raising the efficiency of the circular economy model. Circa Biotech’s project follows the principles of circular economy by using organic waste and the nutrients it contains as inputs into the feed production process, thus enhancing food security.

"To support industries that need insect proteins, we must draw a roadmap to facilitate the imports of agricultural inputs and enhance related government services. This project will contribute to reducing the carbon footprint of the agricultural sector by producing organic feed and fertilisers in a sustainable way. In addition, it will divert organic waste away from the landfill and reduce methane emissions resulting from its decomposition."

Mohamed Al Ramahi, CEO of Masdar, said, "As the only planned and approved R&D cluster in Abu Dhabi, Masdar City is strengthening its position as the primary location for some of the world’s most cutting-edge sustainability projects. With our partner The Catalyst, which is the region’s first accelerator for sustainability-focused start-ups, we are delighted to be home to this groundbreaking food waste management project by Circa Biotech, supported by MOCCAE. This is an invaluable addition to global solutions that will enhance the agritech sector, and Masdar City looks forward to continuing its role in shaping the sustainable industries of tomorrow."

Haythem Riahi, co-founder and CEO of Circa Biotech, said, "At Circa Biotech, we developed an innovative process to upcycle food waste into protein-rich animal feed using industrial insect farming. It’s a commercially viable solution to locally produce animal feed with a highly sustainable process. At a full industrial scale, we plan to produce 22,000 tonnes of animal feed per year."

Circa Biotech’s project will initially produce 1.5 tonnes of organic fertiliser per month. At a later stage, the company plans to expand the production, treating 200 tonnes of food waste per day and upcycling it into the food value chain. This will help meet the increasing local demand for livestock feed. It will also curb the dependence on fishmeal in aquaculture, which is witnessing price increases and instability due to limited supply, with its costs reaching up to 80 percent of expenditure within the industry.

The produced feed is rich in proteins, fats, minerals, and vitamins, and has high nutritional value. The larvae can be harvested every 14 days due to the BSF’s short 45-day lifecycle and high fertility. The BSF is considered ideal for feed production, as it does not transmit diseases, does not cause any damage or infestations, and is a non-invasive species. The BSF are reared in an industrial control system (ICS) environment with sensors that record real-time temperature, humidity, and carbon dioxide levels under well-researched lighting. This model ensures optimal resource use and efficient water consumption, and has limited climate change impact and low emissions.

Mariam bint Mohammed Almheiri, Minister of Climate Change and the Environment, inaugurated the region’s first project that will upcycle organic waste into high-quality products.

The venture by innovative homegrown startup Circa Biotech farms black soldier fly (BSF) larvae, fed by food leftovers before being turned into animal proteins, organic fertilisers, and oils.

During a tour of the company’s headquarters in Masdar City in Abu Dhabi, the Ministry of Climate Change and Environment (MOCCAE) signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with Circa Biotech to support the pioneering project.

Speaking at the inauguration, Almheiri said, "This agreement is part of the UAE’s ongoing drive to enhance food security and sustainability based on innovation, green development, and climate change mitigation. The project leverages nature-based solutions to address challenges resulting from the accumulation of organic waste. This way, it creates sustainable economic opportunities that strengthen the resilience of our food supply chain while transforming waste from an environmental burden into an economic resource."

She added, "The world is witnessing a rise in capital funding for insect farming companies. In the UAE, we consider support for innovation and R&D a foundation for raising the efficiency of the circular economy model. Circa Biotech’s project follows the principles of circular economy by using organic waste and the nutrients it contains as inputs into the feed production process, thus enhancing food security.

"To support industries that need insect proteins, we must draw a roadmap to facilitate the imports of agricultural inputs and enhance related government services. This project will contribute to reducing the carbon footprint of the agricultural sector by producing organic feed and fertilisers in a sustainable way. In addition, it will divert organic waste away from the landfill and reduce methane emissions resulting from its decomposition."

Mohamed Al Ramahi, CEO of Masdar, said, "As the only planned and approved R&D cluster in Abu Dhabi, Masdar City is strengthening its position as the primary location for some of the world’s most cutting-edge sustainability projects. With our partner The Catalyst, which is the region’s first accelerator for sustainability-focused start-ups, we are delighted to be home to this groundbreaking food waste management project by Circa Biotech, supported by MOCCAE. This is an invaluable addition to global solutions that will enhance the agritech sector, and Masdar City looks forward to continuing its role in shaping the sustainable industries of tomorrow."

Haythem Riahi, co-founder and CEO of Circa Biotech, said, "At Circa Biotech, we developed an innovative process to upcycle food waste into protein-rich animal feed using industrial insect farming. It’s a commercially viable solution to locally produce animal feed with a highly sustainable process. At a full industrial scale, we plan to produce 22,000 tonnes of animal feed per year."

Circa Biotech’s project will initially produce 1.5 tonnes of organic fertiliser per month. At a later stage, the company plans to expand the production, treating 200 tonnes of food waste per day and upcycling it into the food value chain. This will help meet the increasing local demand for livestock feed. It will also curb the dependence on fishmeal in aquaculture, which is witnessing price increases and instability due to limited supply, with its costs reaching up to 80 percent of expenditure within the industry.

The produced feed is rich in proteins, fats, minerals, and vitamins, and has high nutritional value. The larvae can be harvested every 14 days due to the BSF’s short 45-day lifecycle and high fertility. The BSF is considered ideal for feed production, as it does not transmit diseases, does not cause any damage or infestations, and is a non-invasive species. The BSF are reared in an industrial control system (ICS) environment with sensors that record real-time temperature, humidity, and carbon dioxide levels under well-researched lighting. This model ensures optimal resource use and efficient water consumption, and has limited climate change impact and low emissions.

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• Innovate will identify and nurture the next generation of sustainable technologies 
• The initiative will bring together early-stage innovators and potential investors 
• Groundbreaking innovations will be showcased physically at Abu Dhabi Sustainability Week 2022

Masdar City, Abu Dhabi’s only planned and approved R&D cluster and a leading hub for innovation, has launched ‘Innovate’, to identify and nurture the next generation of sustainable technologies. The global initiative will focus on the areas of urban mobility, clean energy, agritech and food security, water, energy storage, and artificial intelligence. 

The yearlong Masdar City initiative will provide participating small and mid-size enterprises (SMEs) with a platform to nurture their sustainable innovations and opportunities to engage with potential investors. The companies will also have the opportunity to expand or move their operations to Masdar City Free Zone. 

Abdulla Balalaa, Executive Director, Masdar City, said, “Bringing the Innovate initiative to fruition is a natural progression for Masdar City as Abu Dhabi’s hub of innovation and R&D. Innovate will allow us to bring more of the world’s best innovation-focused companies to the City, to further the R&D of these technologies, all while benefitting from Masdar City’s unique offerings.” 

“By investing in Abu Dhabi’s innovation ecosystem, this initiative will further support the development of pioneering technologies around key green transition sectors such as clean energy, AI, water and other Fourth Industrial Revolution sectors. Companies will benefit from the support provided by Masdar City in helping them grow their businesses in the UAE and wider region, while also making a positive contribution to the UAE’s sustainable economic development,” Balalaa continued.

As part of its year-round program, Innovate has also partnered with Abu Dhabi Sustainability Week (ADSW), one of the world’s largest sustainability gatherings, to host the Innovate hub at the World Future Energy Summit, which will showcase leading solutions and facilitate networking opportunities with potential investors. During ADSW 2022, Innovate will also host a virtual forum to lead discussions and identify how early-stage technologies can be accelerated.

Abdulla Balalaa concluded, “Each quarter over the next twelve months, Masdar City will scout for more companies to participate in a series of events and to feature on the Innovate microsite. Through partnerships with UAE government bodies, Innovate will continue to highlight Masdar City's and ADSW's stakeholders' innovative outlook, and Masdar City Free Zone will invite companies to move to Masdar City.”

Masdar City is home to more than 1,000 businesses, encompassing a variety of organizations - from multinationals and SMEs to homegrown startups - committed to advancing the sustainability agenda and spearheading the innovations to realize greener, more sustainable urban living. By basing their businesses in Masdar City, Abu Dhabi, companies will benefit from the exceptional digital infrastructure already in place as well as highly advanced regulatory frameworks and other R&D initiatives.

To learn more about Innovate and Masdar City, please visit https://masdarcity.ae/innovate 

• Seramic Materials, supported by The Catalyst, develops circular economy solution to recycle industrial solid waste into ceramic high-temperature thermal energy storage product.
• ReThink Seramic – Flora is company’s first commercial product; company announces first client with purchase order in Spain.
• Innovative new product has been developed in Masdar City, Abu Dhabi’s only planned and approved research and development (R&D) cluster. 
• Seramic Materials has established the first laboratory in the GCC dedicated to industrial solid waste valorization.

Masdar City-based Seramic Materials, a start-up company supported by accelerator The Catalyst, has developed a unique patented solution to recycle industrial solid waste into a high-temperature thermal energy storage (TES) product – a circular economy solution that both reduces wastage and promotes renewable energy development. 

The innovative new product called, ReThink Seramic – Flora, has been developed by Seramic Materials at its base in Masdar City. The Flora is a technical ceramic that can store heat at temperatures up to 1250°C. This allows the storage of thermal energy from process heat in concentrated solar power (CSP) or industrial waste heat recovery systems, or from electricity in renewable energy systems such as solar photovoltaic, wind, or even excess grid electricity. Made completely from recycled materials, in a 100 percent carbon-offset process, ReThink Seramic – Flora offers a sustainable solution at a considerably lower price point than other commercially available TES materials. 

Abdulla Balalaa, Executive Director, Masdar City, said, “This ground-breaking product from Seramic Materials was developed at their base in Masdar City a testament to being Abu Dhabi’s only planned and approved research and development (R&D) cluster. Thermal energy storage is a technology with enormous potential, helping to overcome the intermittency challenges of renewable energy and mitigating climate change. Part of our work at Masdar City, is helping start-ups like Seramic Materials to test new technologies, explore opportunities and build their networks, hence, helping to amplify their efforts and deliver a more sustainable future.

“The development of innovations like ReThink Seramic – Flora, further enhances the City’s status as the key regional hub for the development of transformative technologies. Seramic Materials has also been ranked fourth in a global list of recycling start-ups, the only company from the Arab world to be recognized, so we are very proud to have them as part of our dynamic community.” 

Dr. Nicolas Calvet, Founder and Chief Executive Officer of Seramic Materials, said, “By replacing an expensive raw material by a waste locally generated, we are significantly cutting the cost of our ceramic products” said.  Flora is a game changer in high-temperature applications over 600°C as up to now the bottle neck was the high cost of the ceramic material itself.”

The TES market is expected to grow rapidly in the next few years, as it offers a solution to issues arising from the intermittent nature of renewable energy sources, such as wind and solar. The TES market could triple in size by 2030, with investment in TES applications for cooling and power set to reach as much as US$28 billion, helping to fulfil long-term climate and sustainability goals, according to the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA). 

Seramic Materials has also announced its first commercial client, with StorEnergy DOO taking delivery of 24 tons of the Flora solution at the Plataforma Solar de Almeria (PSA) in the south of Spain for a demonstrator project. In this demonstrator, Flora will be thermally cycled up to 800°C. In the future, StorEnergy plans to reach higher temperatures as Flora can withstand temperatures over 1000°C. 

By operating at a higher temperature, the heat-to-electricity conversion efficiency is improved in power generation systems.  In addition, high-temperature process heat can be delivered on demand to industry, such as cement or glass, to replace or save fossil fuels and reduce carbon emissions. Flora is also durable, being a refractory ceramic that can be thermally cycled over decades without damage. 

Seramic Materials is supported by The Catalyst, the region’s first clean technology start-up accelerator, which granted it US$150,000 last year, and provides training and mentorship. With the support of The Catalyst, Seramic Materials has established the first laboratory in the GCC dedicated to industrial solid waste valorization, located in the Masdar Tech Park in Masdar City. 

Masdar City, is now home to more than 900 companies, ranging from multinationals and SMEs, to homegrown start-ups. These companies include the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA), the UAE Space Agency, Siemens, Tabreed, Honeywell, and the world's first university dedicated to artificial intelligence, the Mohamed bin Zayed University of Artificial Intelligence (MBZUAI). Masdar City is also home to leading HealthTech company, G42 Healthcare (G42), which is known for establishing the Omics Center of Excellence, the region’s largest and most advanced Omics facility in terms of technology coverage, automation, computational capacity and throughput. 

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Can you imagine a smart garden in your home that grows vegetables automatically – with virtually no time or need for a green thumb?

Aline Pate did imagine this, and better yet, developed it.

The HydroArtPod is a system built with smart grow channels that keep the nutrient-rich water distributed evenly, which optimizes the level of air and water so the plant roots can thrive at all times.

The system not only supplies fresh produces for an entire month, but its smart functions notify the grower, when it requires attention through an app.

When Aline came up with the idea, she and her husband Richard, pitched it to The Catalyst at Masdar City. Having previously worked with Masdar on the food security project Bustani, Aline said she was confident about The Catalyst as the right incubator for The HydroArtPod, as she had personally experienced Masdar’s commitment to addressing sustainable development.

The business is now the first indoor garden that grows around 30 plants, which can also function as living art. Accompanied by an app, the indoor garden needs little gardening knowledge, as all the information is available on hand, further proving the innovative spirit of the venture.

“Being a part of The Catalyst is about becoming a part of bigger ecosystem,” said Richard, “The team not only funds you, but offers you guidance to develop a strategic approach to the business.” There is now a clear path to not only develop the creative side, but business angles covering everything from IP protection, marketing and building the team, through to sales/distribution and manufacturing.”

The Catalyst team was available to answer any questions throughout the process and even supported them to organize local manufacturing. When the team hit a roadblock, The Catalyst team created an opportunity to pitch HydroPod on popular broadcast Emarat TV. The inventors participated in the show Sustainability Pioneer, showcasing the highly marketable lifestyle product to the wider group, and won.

This success has not come without its challenges. Aline tested various different designs and various approaches, which took approximately 3 years, before she finally zeroed in on a suitable prototype.  Her vision was to develop a version that she could keep in her home and grow organic and pesticide-free food for her family all year round. And her success was evident when friends started asking if she could develop this for their homes. The idea to go to market was the result of frequent curious requests from friends and their wider circle of acquaintances.

This month, young visitors to Kidzania’s outlets at The Dubai Mall and Abu Dhabi’s Yas Mall, will learn how to easily grow healthy fruits and vegetables at home, through a unique interactive experience delivered by Masdar City-based start-up innovation, the HydroArtPod. 

As part of KidZania’s ‘Kids For A Greener World’ interactive workshop, kids will learn how easy it is to grow fruits and vegetables at home using the HydroArtPod – an app-controlled smart garden that empowers and enables people to grow food and flowers indoors. 

Children at each mall will get hands-on experience of the HydroArtPod, giving them the opportunity to explore their natural environment and understand how they can contribute towards protecting it. They will also learn how to grow their own plants and find out more about the importance of saving water and recycling. 

HydroArtPod inventor, Aline Pate said, “My inspiration for designing the HydroArtPod was to help every home be able to make a little difference toward their own health and minimize our impact on the environment. KidZania’s Kids For A Greener World is an important initiative to raise awareness among younger generations about food production and the environment. We are delighted to partner with KidZania and Emaar in helping the next generation learn how to take care of our world.” 

The HydroArtPod has been developed by Masdar City-based tech start-up, byAlinePate, which is currently being incubated at the sustainability focused startup accelerator, The Catalyst. The automated HydroArtPod requires minimal user effort, removes the need for chemicals, packaging and transportation, and ensures a steady supply of fresh produce with minimal food waste. Users can also grow edible and decorative flowers easily at home. The HydroArtPod can be mounted on the walls in a home for easy access, while also looking like a piece of art. 

Beenakshi Ramdewar of KidZania operator Emaar Entertainment LLC said, “We are delighted to be showcasing the HydroArtPod to children. It’s a great way for them to learn about growing at home, so they can have a greener world for tomorrow.” 

Being located in Masdar City will help students from the world’s first university dedicated to research into artificial intelligence (AI) create a new generation of entrepreneurs, rivalling those of Silicon Valley, according to the institute’s president. 

"Our location at Masdar City, a regional hub for technology innovation, is beneficial as our graduates can quickly assimilate into a thriving innovation-driven environment," Professor Eric Xing, President of the Mohamed bin Zayed University of Artificial Intelligence (MBZUAI), told WAM in an interview. 

The effect could be likened to the role Stanford University played in the development of Silicon Valley in the United States, Professor Xing said, pointing out that IT giants such as HP and Dell were founded by students and faculty from Stanford. 
“It is the dandelion effect at work – as the wind blows, the seeds spread,” he told WAM. “Similarly, by nurturing a culture of research and innovation, we are confident we can create a new generation of entrepreneurs in Abu Dhabi.”   

The emirate “is an open ecosystem that offers innovators the chance to try new ideas, thrive, and advance their careers. In terms of infrastructure, it is among the best destinations in the world to live comfortably while experiencing the local culture. It is a new melting pot for culture and ideas to coexist and to create something new," he added.

AI could boost the development of key industry sectors, including healthcare and energy, as it generates enormous amounts of data, Xing said in the interview. 

"AI can help doctors derive more insights from clinical data to improve their understanding of their patients and make better decisions,” Xing told the news agency. “In addition, unlike human doctors, AI can analyse the data of millions of patients at once."

Energy will also benefit from AI research, according to Xing, explaining that AI could obtain insights to help reduce carbon emissions, increase water and power efficiency, and manage other aspects of energy generation, shipment and transmission. AI could also help predict when preventative maintenance is needed, according to Xing.

• Skincare enthusiasts can buy two and get one product for free from 22nd of June until the 22nd of August

De L’Arta, the Middle East’s first sustainable skincare brand and homegrown UAE startup, has announced the launch of their dedicated online skincare store. Beauty gurus and skincare enthusiasts across the Emirates can now order the [Tq] by De L’Arta product range directly from https://delarta.com/, with delivery in the UAE within three working days.

The new online offering marks a significant expansion for De L’Arta, which has innovated personal care by developing sustainable solutions through the unearthing and maximizing of existing natural resources found in the UAE. 

“As ardent environmentalists, we want to be the first company in the world that uses 100% renewable resources and completely natural products to create a skincare brand that is both responsible and nourishing,” said Dr Lina Yousef, CEO and co-founder of De L’Arta. “Establishing an e-commerce website is another step in the right direction, and we are committed to continuing our efforts in creating sustainable lifestyle solutions.”

Launched in 2018 and incubated under the region’s first clean technology startup accelerator, The Catalyst based in Masdar City, Abu Dhabi, De L’Arta has been dubbed the beauty industry’s ‘next big thing’ and in 2020, was selected as one of the finalists to join the Beauty Brand Incubator program with the Greenhouse Chalhoub Group, which is the Group’s space for innovation and entrepreneurship.

“At De L’Arta, we work to harness the sophistication, tenacity and resilience of our surrounding ecosystem and repurpose its value into future-ready products,” Dr. Yousef continues. “De L’Arta innovates from the UAE’s resources to maximise their natural value because of them, not in spite of them. We regenerate, recover and repurpose sustainably, to improve our land, our lives and our economy.” 

De L’Arta’s [Tq] skincare range is named after the Tetraena qatarensis, a desert plant native to the UAE with an extraordinary ability to survive the harshest of environments. De L’Arta has extracted intelligent plant-based compounds and sustainably repurposed their power to create the unisex [Tq] skincare line, which can be used on all skin types.

The [Tq] by De L’Arta products are created using the Tetreana qatarensis’s antioxidant rich, drought resistant and salt tolerant properties, to hydrate, nourish and protect skin from premature ageing caused by environmental pollutants. De L’Arta is the first company to use these extracts, which provide rejuvenating, anti-inflammatory and wound healing properties. De L’Arta was also the first company to register Tetraena qatarensis as an official ingredient in the International Nomenclature of Cosmetic Ingredients (INCI). The company now has exclusive rights to using these extracts as ingredients through the international patent filed together with Khalifa University.

The company prepares the [Tq] extract in an outdoor laboratory based in Masdar City, before sending it to the local manufacturer for product formulation. This spirit of innovative thinking is underpinned by Masdar City’s vision to encourage and stimulate entrepreneurship, particularly through The Catalyst, which is the region’s first sustainability focused start up accelerator and a joint venture between Masdar and bp. As part of the accelerator program, De L’Arta receives business and infrastructure support for research and development.

“Our team is excited about the new milestone and are thrilled to provide our local customers safe access to sustainable skincare from the comfort of their home,” added Dr Lina.
In celebration of the summer season, the company is offering buy two get one free on their full skincare range from 22nd of June until the 22nd of August 2021.

Relaunched in 2018 to encourage and stimulate entrepreneurship, The Catalyst is the region’s first sustainability-focused ‘start-up accelerator’. Based in the Masdar City Free Zone, The Catalyst is a joint venture between Masdar and BP aimed at accelerating start-ups through funding, training and mentorship.

The Catalyst targets eco-friendly business ideas that are 1-3 years away from commercialization, and accelerates them through a holistic program, which provides entrepreneurs a range of services and support needed to run a business.

To date, eight start-up companies have been incubated at The Catalyst, providing a stable base to grow their business and undertake research and design.

For more information on the services and support provided by The Catalyst, please visit: http://www.catalyst.ae/