Emirates Flight Catering (EKFC) has commissioned a Power Knot LFC-3000 biodigester at its Central Commissary Unit in Dubai, UAE, which the company says is one of the largest biodigesters in terms of commercial scale and capacity.
The system enables on-site processing of organic waste through aerobic digestion, using oxygen, heat and microorganisms to break down organic waste. The process produces grey water, which can be repurposed for non-potable use. Unlike mechanical systems that degrade over time, biodigesters become more efficient as their microbial culture matures and adapts to a wider variety of feedstock.
Since the biodigester was commissioned in December 2025, it has processed an average of up to 3.5 tonnes of waste per day. Current projections from EKFC estimate that capacity will increase to around 6 tonnes of food waste per day, subject to biological maturity and feedstock composition.
Emissions reductions
Using the UK’s Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs (DEFRA) aligned greenhouse gas (GHG) conversion factors, EKFC estimates that diverting one tonne of food waste from landfill avoids approximately 0.7 tCO₂e per tonne, primarily by preventing methane emissions from decomposition in landfill.
At full capacity and biological maturity, the biodigester could avoid more than 2,000 tonnes of CO₂e annually.
“At EKFC, when we look at where we can make the greatest difference, it’s in how we handle waste by treating it responsibly, diverting it from landfill, and finding ways to put it back into productive use,” explained Shahreyar Nawabi, CEO of Emirates Flight Catering.
“Commissioning a biodigester of this scale is a major operational milestone for us as we accelerate EKFC’s landfill diversion efforts. The strong cross-functional collaboration from every part of the business, in addition to consistent waste segregation efforts of teams on the ground were also key drivers of this project’s successful delivery.”
EKFC’s broader sustainability programme
The biodigester forms part of EKFC’s wider sustainability initiatives. Solar panels at the facility generated 4,000 MWh last year, avoiding 1,600 tonnes of CO₂e. Electric vehicles are being introduced across operations, and a proof-of-concept electric hi-loader, the first in the region, is expected by mid-2026.
EKFC processed nearly 75,000 kg of food waste through its first LFC-50 biodigester last year and eliminated 45,000 kg of plastic annually through packaging changes. The company has developed 47 recipes using production trimmings to repurpose potential waste.
Pesticide-free lettuce from Bustanica, a local vertical farm, was used for 28,000 Emirates salads daily last year. AI-driven automation and smart camera technology support production quality and waste reduction.
