Iain Milnes, President of Power Knot, recently visited Ibn Battuta Mall—Dubai’s largest themed shopping destination—to see first hand how the mall is using its food waste biodigesters to drive sustainability and improve operations.
Named after the legendary 14th-century Moroccan explorer Ibn Battuta, the mall is a testament to global travel and culture, offering visitors a journey through six themed zones: Andalusia, Tunisia, Egypt, Persia, India, and China. Located on the bustling Sheikh Zayed Road near Jabal Ali, the mall has grown into a cultural and commercial hub since its opening in 2005. With over 400 outlets, it attracts tens of thousands of shoppers daily, peaking at more than 70,000 visitors during weekends and holidays.
But beyond its architectural charm and shopping variety, Ibn Battuta Mall is quietly leading on an equally important front—environmental sustainability.
Tackling Food Waste at the Source
In late 2024, the mall made a bold move to address one of the major challenges faced by large commercial centers: food waste. With 36 fast food outlets in the food court and 11 full-service restaurants scattered throughout the mall, a substantial amount of food waste is generated every day.
To tackle this, the mall installed two LFC-300 biodigesters from Power Knot, each capable of digesting up to 300 kg (660 lbs) of organic waste per day. In under six months, the machines have digested 48 metric tonnes (53 US tons) of food waste. This diverted material would otherwise have gone to landfills or incineration, producing harmful methane gases.
Instead, the mall has achieved an impressive carbon footprint reduction of approximately 200 tonnes of CO₂e emissions—equivalent to removing 43 cars from the road for an entire year.
A Hands-On Visit from the Top
During his visit, Iain Milnes met with the mall’s operations team to review the performance of the biodigesters and offer in-depth demonstrations of the machines’ more advanced features. “Seeing the machines in action at a site as large and busy as Ibn Battuta Mall is incredibly rewarding,” said Milnes. “What’s more impressive is how the staff have embraced the technology and integrated it into daily operations.”
Operators shared positive feedback, noting zero odor, no mechanical issues, and ease of use as key benefits. Several were surprised to learn about additional features during Milnes’ demonstration, which are expected to further enhance efficiency and automation.
Milnes was joined by Shakeel Ahmed, General Manager of Power Knot Middle East, who highlighted the broader vision behind this initiative:
“This is a great mall that should be on everyone’s list when visiting Dubai. It’s owned by Dubai Holding, a company that places sustainability at the core of its values. We are proud to support Ibn Battuta Mall in achieving its environmental targets while also helping to streamline operations and reduce costs.”
Leading by Example
Ibn Battuta Mall’s adoption of Power Knot’s LFC biodigesters is a strong example of how large scale commercial venues can implement practical, cost-effective solutions to address environmental concerns. By investing in smart waste management systems, the mall not only reduces its ecological footprint but also demonstrates that sustainability and profitability can go hand in hand.
As Dubai continues to position itself as a global leader in sustainability and innovation, initiatives like these are paving the way for a greener future—one biodigester at a time. Take the first step towards sustainability today by contacting Power Knot.