Etienne Petit appointed CEO of Tadweer Group to drive landfill diversion and regional growth

UAE – Tadweer Group has appointed Etienne Petit as its new Chief Executive Officer, marking a significant step in the organization’s transformation and growth strategy as it accelerates efforts to unlock the value of waste across Abu Dhabi and beyond.

Petit brings more than 30 years of experience in the global waste management sector, including 26 years at Veolia, where he held senior executive leadership roles across Europe and international markets.

His appointment comes as Tadweer sharpens its focus on large-scale infrastructure delivery and circular economy solutions, with a target to divert 80% of waste from Abu Dhabi landfills by 2031.

“I am honoured to join Tadweer Group at such a pivotal moment in its growth journey,” said Petit.

“The organization has already established itself as a regional pioneer in advancing circular economy solutions and transforming waste into valuable resources.

“I look forward to building on this strong foundation while supporting Abu Dhabi’s and the UAE’s sustainability ambitions, advancing next-generation waste solutions, and delivering measurable environmental and economic value.”

Tadweer has entered the year with renewed momentum, recently launching Tajmee’e, its AI-powered waste collection subsidiary, aimed at improving operational efficiency and data-driven waste management.

The group is also progressing a portfolio of waste-to-energy (WtE) projects locally and regionally.

In July last year, Tadweer acquired Masdar’s stake in the Sharjah waste-to-energy plant, strengthening the Emirates Waste-to-Energy joint venture.

The facility, inaugurated in 2022 as the Middle East’s first commercial-scale WtE plant, is now co-owned and operated by Tadweer Group and BEEAH Group. The move signals a new phase in scaling energy recovery from municipal waste in the region.

The Abu Dhabi waste-to-energy project, a central pillar of Tadweer’s roadmap, is expected to begin operations in 2027. Once online, it is set to significantly reduce landfill dependency while contributing to the emirate’s clean energy mix.

Earlier this year, Tadweer reinforced its international expansion ambitions at Abu Dhabi Sustainability Week (ADSW), outlining plans to position the group as a regional champion in sustainable waste management and circular economy innovation.

Ahmed Al Kayyoomi, Executive Director of Strategy and Business Performance at Tadweer Group, said the company’s participation in ADSW highlighted its commitment to “innovative, sustainable solutions” aligned with Abu Dhabi’s broader environmental goals.

With tightening environmental targets across the GCC and increasing investment in resource recovery infrastructure, Petit’s appointment underscores Tadweer’s intention to play a leading role in reshaping the region’s waste landscape.

Subscribe to our email newsletters that provide busy executives like you with the latest news insights and trends from Africa and the World. SUBSCRIBE HERE