Agritech manufacturer IGS and deployment partner Modutec have teamed up for a project designed to replace 1 per cent of food imports in the UAE
Edinburgh-based agritech manufacturer Intelligent Growth Solutions (IGS) has chosen Aberdeen-based Modutec as its deployment partner for the UAE, with the initial contract covering construction of the first 20 vertical farming growth towers of a planned 200-tower ‘GigaFarm’ in Dubai’s Food Tech Valley.
The Scottish-based firms are teaming up to build the towers as part of a “self-contained closed-loop ecosystem designed to maximise resource efficiency and divert waste from landfill”, according to the companies.
“Specialising in the delivery of HVAC, E&I, architectural and utilities projects in the energy, marine and defence industries, Modutec has a well-established reputation in the Middle East, having spent more than 20 years working in the region,” they said. “This partnership with IGS will give Modutec the opportunity to apply decades of learning and experience to a rapidly emerging new industry.”
IGS first unveiled the GigaFarm project at COP28 in December 2023 alongside partners ReFarm. The first components for construction of the vertical farming towers were reportedly shipped from the UK ready for deployment to commence in Q4 2025.
When complete, the site is set to have a growing capacity of over 3,000 tonnes of produce a year using IGS vertical farming technology. By integrating waste-to-value and regenerative farming technologies, the GigaFarm will also significantly advance the UAE’s efforts to decarbonise food production and strengthen food security, replacing 1 per cent of the country’s fresh produce imports.
Andrew Lloyd, CEO of IGS, commented: “Our decision to award this contract to Modutec came at the end of a rigorous tender process: our shared Scottish roots were a happy accident but has only served to strengthen the bond between our two businesses as we enter into this partnership.
“Crucially, I am confident that the skill, discipline and expertise of the Modutec team will enable IGS to safely deploy its growth towers at both pace and scale, delivering on the GigaFarm project’s promise to help the UAE tackle the twin challenges of food insecurity and changing global climate.”
Christopher Andrew, group operations director at Modutec, added: “As a leader in the delivery of HVAC, E&I, Architectural & Utilities projects within the Energy, Marine & Defence sectors, we pride ourselves on our adaptability and expertise, particularly in the Middle East, where we have built a strong reputation. We are thankful to IGS for placing their trust in Modutec and look forward to a successful collaboration that showcases what Scottish businesses can achieve together on the global stage.”
