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Khalifa University and Green Waste Solutions Trading DMCC win top international honours
Two prominent Emirati institutions have been recognised at the Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Global Water Award, in a milestone that underscores the UAE's leadership in sustainability and innovation.
Khalifa University won the Innovative Research & Development Award (National Institutions category) for its Biomimetic Freshwater Generator for Solar Desalination without Brine Discharge project.
Green Waste Solutions Trading DMCC, based in the Dubai Multi Commodities Centre (DMCC), won the Innovative Projects Award (Large Projects category) for its LANDCO Tech initiative, which transforms organic waste and wastewater into clean drinking water, renewable energy and bio-fertilisers.
The award ceremony saw His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, honour the two institutions as part of the 12 winners from eight countries across the award's four categories.
With total prizes of $1 million, the Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Global Water Award is supervised by the UAE Water Aid Foundation (Suqia UAE), under the umbrella of the Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Global Initiatives. It aims to find sustainable and innovative solutions to address water scarcity worldwide.
Khalifa University's winning device mimics the natural evaporation process of mangrove trees to produce freshwater from seawater and passively collect salt as a byproduct, eliminating the need for brine discharge. It employs sustainable solar thermal distillation technology and uses the principle of interfacial solar steam generation, where solar energy absorption and vapour production occur at the water surface, minimising heat losses and improving energy efficiency.
Under real-world conditions, the device produces 2.2 litres of freshwater per square metre daily from seawater, which is sufficient to meet individual drinking needs. It can also be scaled up to meet higher water demands. The device has been tested using synthetic seawater and Abu Dhabi seawater, and it meets WHO standards. A PCT patent application for the invention has been filed in the US and ADNOC has expressed interest in adopting the technology to treat produced water from oil reservoirs.
'The global water crisis may be just a slogan in some parts of the world but, for us, it is a very real and urgent challenge that directly affects the future of our next generations. Addressing this crisis is essential for achieving sustainable development, not only in our region but globally. The key lies in innovation. With our technology, people can survive in remote areas without access to traditional infrastructure. This award is truly significant and plays a critical role in supporting efforts across this region. By investing in such a vital field, we can drive meaningful change. The UAE is uniquely positioned to lead and support global solutions,' said Dr TieJun Zhang, professor of mechanical engineering and Associate Dean of the College of Engineering and Physical Sciences at Khalifa University.
Dr Faisal Al Marzooqi, associate professor of chemical engineering and Deputy Director of the Centre of Membrane and Advanced Water Technology (CMAT) at Khalifa University, said water is a limited and precious resource that has to be used wisely – both here in the UAE and around the world.
'Our innovation harnesses solar energy to desalinate water while producing useful salts, enabling sustainable water production in remote areas. The Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Global Water Award is a powerful incentive for us to continue our efforts, push the boundaries of our technology and expand its impact both locally and globally,' said Dr Al Marzooqi.
The award-winning LANDCO Combo system, developed by Green Waste Solutions Trading DMCC, is a fully integrated solution that converts organic waste and wastewater into clean drinking water, renewable energy and liquid bio-fertilisers. Housed in 40-foot COMBO containers and equipped with solar panels, the modular system includes an anaerobic digester, ultrafiltration and reverse-osmosis units, a heat exchanger and a 15kW electrical generator. Wastewater is treated to extract potable water that meets WHO standards (pH: 6.17), while the remaining digestate is repurposed as fertiliser for on-site crop cultivation.
The system also produces biogas for energy use and integrates blockchain and AI tools for remote monitoring and operational optimisation. The solution has been deployed in Egypt and Botswana, producing up to 100,000 litres of water daily in El Gouna and serving 20,000 people in Maun. It is designed for easy deployment, maintenance and scalability, with a 15-year lifecycle and replaceable components. The system is particularly beneficial in refugee camps and underserved communities, where it supports local job creation, reduces pollution, and improves living conditions.
'The key to solving the water crisis lies in encouraging people to take responsibility for how they interact with natural resources. Ultimately, it is a matter of education. We believe that the platform provided by this award plays a vital role in raising awareness that innovative technologies already exist to improve lives, especially in terms of environmental impact. I'm deeply grateful to Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice- President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, for his commitment to improving life on this planet for us, and for our children and grandchildren. Our team continues to work on advancing this technology, making it more affordable and scalable so it can be implemented wherever it's most needed around the world,' said Andre Holzer, CEO and founder of Green Waste Solutions Trading DMCC.
The Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Global Water Award continues to support the UAE's efforts to address the challenges of water scarcity. The award aims to find sustainable solutions that ensure the availability of freshwater for impoverished communities around the world and other vulnerable groups. This supports a brighter future for generations to come. The fourth cycle of the award saw strong international participation, attracting submissions from 46 countries.
