New PLA Venture Set to Ignite Bioplastics Industry in MENA Region

SS Royal Kit Emirates Investment and Global Biopolymers Industries have partnered to launch Emirates Biotech, a new venture aimed at revolutionizing the PLA bioplastics industry. This company will lead the production and marketing of PLA biopolymers throughout the Middle East, Africa, and India, providing a sustainable and circular alternative to conventional fossil fuel-based plastics.

Shaikh Suhail Ali Saeed Rashed Al-Maktoum and Dr. Shadi Jabari, representing SS Royal Kit Emirates Investment, along with Mr. Theodorus Everwijn from Global Biopolymers Industries, signed the partnership agreement. Emirates Biotech, previously known as Gulf Biopolymers Industries, will be headquartered in Dubai and plans to establish a PLA production facility in the United Arab Emirates.

Shaikh Suhail Ali Saeed Rashed Al-Maktoum states, “Our involvement with Emirates Biotech highlights our steadfast dedication to advancing sustainability both in the UAE and beyond. By investing in PLA bioplastics, we are proactively contributing to the creation of a more eco-conscious society for future generations, in line with the UAE’s Green Agenda 2030 vision.”

Theodorus Everwijn asserts that PLA biopolymers are essential innovations for decreasing society's carbon footprint and tackling global plastic pollution. Partnering with SS Royal Kit Emirates Investment will help us accelerate this transition and strengthen the UAE’s position as a leading nation in advancing a more sustainable society.’”

Marc Verbruggen has been named CEO of Emirates Biotech. With over a decade of experience in the PLA bioplastics industry, he specializes in transforming start-ups into global leaders in bio-based polymer solutions. He remarks, "Shifting to bioplastics isn't just an option; it's crucial for minimizing plastic waste in landfills and oceans.”

Emirates Biotech intends to start commercial operations in early 2025 and plans to begin construction of its first PLA production plant in the UAE before 2026.

Emirates Biotech produces high-quality, sustainable alternatives to traditional plastics. Headquartered in the UAE, Emirates Biotech is a leading manufacturer and marketer of PLA biopolymers in the Middle East. The company’s PLA biopolymers are renewable, recyclable, biodegradable, and align with the principles of a circular economy. Strategically positioned to benefit from the growing demand for sustainable products, Emirates Biotech supplies PLA biopolymers and offers expertise in application development, recycling, and sustainable end-of-life solutions. Together, the company is advancing the transition to a circular, bio-based society, contributing to a healthier planet for future generations.

PLA (PolyLactic Acid) biopolymers are sourced from plants that absorb CO2 from the atmosphere, offering a sustainable and bio-based alternative to conventional plastics. These biopolymers are used in various applications, including consumer goods, appliances, packaging, food service items, and 3D printing. PLA can be recycled like other polymers or naturally decomposed, reducing plastic pollution. Advances in material innovation are expanding PLA's use across diverse applications, addressing growing environmental and performance standards.