Sulzer from Switzerland provides technical support to Emirates Biotech's polylactic acid (PLA) production plant

UAE Biotech recently announced that it has selected Swiss company Sulzer as the technology provider for its upcoming polylactic acid (PLA) plant in the UAE.

With an overall investment of US$800 million, the project is set to begin in two phases; one phase would see an annual production capacity of 80,000 tons, thus reaching a total production capacity of 160,000 tons annually. It will be one of the largest PLA plants worldwide. This quantity of bioplastic material is championed as regional and worldwide alternatives towards combating pollution stemming from plastics and climate change; it's enough to replace approximately 3.2 billion plastic bottles and will reduce carbon dioxide emissions alone by more than 300,000 tons every year.

The plant is expected to be constructed in 2025 and commence operation in early 2028. Sulzer shall supply integrated production process technology, from lactide production to purification and polymerization. Initially, the project will buy its LA raw material from the global market.

Sulzer has more than two centuries of industry experience and a good track record in the field of bioplastics, and its licensed PLA technology has been used in most PLA plants around the world. This new development reinforces Sulzer's commitment to supporting global industry in adopting circular manufacturing and building more prosperous and sustainable societies.

Shaikh Suhail Ali Saeed Rashed Al-Maktoum, the main shareholder of Emirates Biotech, commented: "This project demonstrates our commitment to sustainable development and economic diversification. By leveraging innovative technologies and strategic partnerships, we aim to make the UAE a global leader in the production of environmentally friendly materials."

Commenting on the market potential, Marc Verbruggen, CEO of Emirates Biotech, said that the share of bioplastics in the region's overall plastic production is very low, less than 1%, even lower than that of European and American countries.

"We plan to sell biopolymers in the UAE and in neighboring countries such as Saudi Arabia, Oman and Kuwait. We will also cater to demand in densely populated regions such as India, Turkey and Europe", he said.

With global demand for PLA rising, driven by environmental concerns and the shift towards sustainable materials, the plant will make the Middle East a key player in the bioplastics industry, supporting regional and global efforts to fight plastic pollution.

Emirates Biotech is a joint venture between UAE-based SS Royal Kit Emirates Investment and Hong Kong-based Global Biopolymers Industries (GBI).

The company’s current leadership team: CTO Marc Verbruggen, former CEO of NatureWorks; COO François de Bie, formerly of Total Corbion PLA and former chairman of the European Bioplastics Association (EUBP); CTO Aman Kulshrestha, formerly of NatureWorks and Sulzer.