McDonald’s UAE announced that Del Monte, its fresh produce supplier, recently implemented the pioneering biodiesel initiative originally campaigned across the UAE by McDonald’s in 2011 in partnership with Neutral Fuels. 

A total of 20 vehicles from Del Monte’s logistics fleet are currently running on biodiesel made from McDonald’s UAE’s used vegetable cooking oil. Del Monte’s entire fleet of vehicles is expected to run on biodiesel by the end of 2013.

Oussama Naddy, general manager at Del Monte Foods (U.A.E) FZE, said, “As McDonald’s UAE’s long time partner and supplier for the past six years, we saw this as a great opportunity to participate in what we believe is a groundbreaking initiative. We were convinced to participate thanks to the numerous benefits associated with biodiesel including the 80 percent reduction of carbon dioxide emission and the ease with which the conversion from regular diesel to biodiesel can be made throughout our fleet.” 

As part of the McDonald’s UAE program, 100 percent used vegetable oil is collected from McDonald’s outlets across the UAE and converted into 100 percent biodiesel by McDonald’s cleantech partner, Neutral Fuels. 

Commenting on McDonald’s latest achievement is Rafic Fakih, managing director and partner of McDonald’s UAE: “Since the biodiesel campaign was first launched in 2011, we have seen an increasing interest from companies around the region. Del Monte’s participation in this campaign serves as a testament to the success of this initiative and fits in perfectly with our objective to encourage other UAE companies to consider incorporating similar campaigns.” 

Biodiesel is the only renewable transport fuel option that can be commercially deployed today. Independent studies have shown that biodiesel usage results in approximately 80 percent less carbon dioxide than burning traditional fossil diesel on a lifecycle basis. In addition biodiesel has excellent lubricating properties which help prevent premature engine wear and failure. Biodiesel also acts as a cleaning detergent in fuel systems, improving efficiency and reducing maintenance. 

Operating since 1994, McDonald's UAE today has 110 restaurants geographically located to service customers in many areas. McDonald’s UAE is committed to the quality of the products it serves at each restaurant and also maintains an active social responsibility agenda. McDonald’s UAE prides itself on being a local member of the community and has been committed to being a responsible corporate citizen since the first restaurant opened in the UAE. McDonald’s vast CSR agenda includes various sports events that promote balanced active lifestyles including the Olympic Day Run—the annual race which attracts thousands of runners every year, the Olympic Champion Kids Program which offered children the chance to experience the Olympic Games live from the event in 2008 and the Player Escort Program which has been launched twice in the UAE and offers children in the Emirates a chance of a lifetime experience to fly to the FIFA World Cup venue and escort football players onto the field. 2012 is the 10th year McDonald’s UAE has partnered with Beit Al Khair Society, and the fourth year for the Ramadan book campaign.

Neutral Fuels owns and manages biorefineries that convert used cooking oil into biodiesel, the modern, sustainable replacement for fossil diesel. On a lifecycle basis, biodiesel produces approximately 80 percent less carbon dioxide, one of the major contributors to climate change, and is the only renewable transport fuel option that can be commercially deployed today. Neutral Fuels is a member of The Neutral Group, the international cleantech organization founded in 2006 to build sustainability strategies for the logistics, energy and hospitality industries and to execute significant reductions in energy spend and CO2 emissions. Neutral Fuels is headquartered in Dubai for easy access to the APMEA region, with offices in Australia, China, Hong Kong, New Zealand and South Africa. Our CEO and founder, Karl W Feilder, won the Asian Sustainability Leadership Award in September 2012 and was awarded Innovator of the Year 2011 by LOG Magazine for his work in pioneering energy and carbon savings in the Middle East.

Fresh Del Monte is one of the world's leading vertically integrated producers, marketers and distributors of high-quality fresh and fresh-cut fruit and vegetables, as well as a leading producer and distributor of prepared fruit and vegetables, juices, beverages, snacks and desserts in Europe, the Middle East and Africa. Fresh Del Monte markets its fresh products worldwide under the Del Monte brand, a symbol of product quality, freshness and reliability for more than 100 years.