Emirates Biotech has embarked on a significant collaboration with the United Arab Emirates University (UAEU) to drive innovation in Polylactic Acid (PLA), a biodegradable, bio-based polymer that is gaining traction in the packaging industry across the Middle East and Africa. This partnership aims to enhance the performance and environmental credentials of PLA, focusing particularly on its applications in packaging materials such as food service ware and flexible packaging. By joining forces, UAEU faculty and students will collaborate closely with Emirates Biotech’s scientific team on new formulations, processing methods, and sustainable end-of-life solutions like composting and anaerobic digestion. The overarching goal is to position PLA as a robust and credible alternative to conventional fossil-based plastics, in line with broader efforts to promote a circular economy.
The collaboration taps into UAEU’s advanced materials science expertise and research infrastructure, reflecting a commitment to sustainable innovation. Professor Mohamed H. Al-Marzouqi, Dean of the College of Engineering at UAEU, highlighted that the partnership aligns with the university’s mission to address sustainability challenges through engineering solutions with sustained regional impact. Meanwhile, Professor Sulaiman Al Zuhair, Assistant Dean of Research and Graduate Studies, emphasised the university’s ambition to achieve international research excellence through such initiatives.
Simultaneously, Emirates Biotech is advancing its industrial capabilities with ambitious plans to construct the world’s largest PLA production facility in the UAE. The plant, to be built in Abu Dhabi’s KEZAD Free Zone, will be delivered in two phases, each designed to have an annual capacity of 80,000 tonnes, culminating in a total of 160,000 tonnes per annum. According to the company, this scale of production is expected to have a substantial environmental impact by potentially replacing around 3.2 billion conventional plastic bottles each year and reducing carbon dioxide emissions by over 300,000 tonnes annually. The facility’s development signifies a major stride in supporting both regional and global agendas to tackle plastic pollution and mitigate climate change.
For this major venture, Emirates Biotech has enlisted industry leaders in technology and construction. Sulzer has been chosen as the technology provider for the PLA plant, bringing proven expertise to the design and operational processes of the facility. Concurrently, Samsung Engineering & Construction (Samsung E&A) has been contracted as the engineering, procurement, and construction (EPC) contractor, responsible for ensuring the project is executed according to schedule and within budget. The plant is expected to become operational by early 2028, benefiting from its strategic location with access to advanced transportation infrastructure, including the deep-sea port of Khalifa, facilitating efficient supply chain logistics.
The initiative is a key element of the UAE’s broader Green Agenda 2030, supporting national priorities for sustainable development and economic diversification. Emirates Biotech is a joint venture between SS Royal Kit Emirates Investment and Global Biopolymers Industries, reflecting a concerted regional commitment to transforming the bioplastics sector. Together with UAEU’s research prowess and industrial-scale production capabilities, this initiative exemplifies growing academic-industry partnerships aimed at fostering innovation, reducing plastic waste, and advancing material circularity in the region.
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Source: Noah Wire Services
- https://www.packagingmea.com/emirates-biotech-and-uaeu-partner-to-strengthen-pla-innovation/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=emirates-biotech-and-uaeu-partner-to-strengthen-pla-innovation – Please view link – unable to able to access data
- https://www.plastech.biz/en/news/Emirates-Biotech-selects-Sulzer-technology-to-build-20147 – Emirates Biotech has chosen Sulzer as the technology provider for its upcoming Polylactic Acid (PLA) production plant in the UAE. The facility, set to be the world’s largest PLA production plant, will be constructed in two phases, each with an annual capacity of 80,000 tonnes, totaling 160,000 tonnes per annum. The plant aims to support regional and global efforts to combat plastic pollution and climate change, with the expected volume of bioplastic material sufficient to replace approximately 3.2 billion plastic bottles and reduce CO₂ emissions by over 300,000 tonnes annually.
- https://www.arabianbusiness.com/industries/emirates-biotech-ropes-in-sulzer-to-build-worlds-largest-polylactic-acid-plant-in-uae – Emirates Biotech has selected Sulzer as the technology provider for its upcoming Polylactic Acid (PLA) production plant in the UAE. The facility, to be constructed in two phases, each with an annual capacity of 80,000 tonnes, will be the largest PLA production facility globally upon completion. The plant is expected to support regional and global efforts to combat plastic pollution and climate change, with the proposed production volume of bioplastic material estimated to replace approximately 3.2 billion plastic bottles and reduce CO₂ emissions by over 300,000 tonnes annually.
- https://www.arabnews.com/node/2558996/corporate-news – Emirates Biotech, a joint venture between SS Royal Kit Emirates Investment and Global Biopolymers Industries, has launched operations to transform the PLA bioplastics industry. The company plans to build a PLA production facility in the UAE, aiming to produce and market PLA biopolymers across the Middle East, Africa, and India. The project underscores the commitment to sustainability and economic diversification, aligning with the UAE’s vision outlined in the Green Agenda 2030.
- https://www.plastech.biz/en/news/Emirates-Biotech-selects-Samsung-EA-as-contractor-for-its-20560 – Emirates Biotech has selected Samsung E&A as the contractor for its upcoming Polylactic Acid (PLA) production plant in the UAE. The strategic project, officially named Falcon PLA Project, will deliver a cutting-edge facility producing a biodegradable and environmentally friendly plastic alternative. Samsung E&A will oversee all engineering, procurement, and construction work for the project, ensuring it progresses smoothly and aligns with the planned schedule and budget. The pre-EPC contract was signed on 14 April 2025 at Emirates Biotech’s head office in the UAE.
- https://meprinter.com/emirates-biotech-contracts-samsung-ea-to-build-pla-plant/ – Emirates Biotech has contracted Samsung E&A to build its upcoming Polylactic Acid (PLA) production plant in the UAE. The facility, expected to be operational by early 2028, will be located in Abu Dhabi’s KEZAD Free Zone, an industrial area with access to state-of-the-art transportation infrastructure, including the deep-sea port of Khalifa. The plant will be constructed in two phases, each with an annual production capacity of 80,000 tonnes, totaling 160,000 tonnes per annum upon completion.
- https://www.industryintel.com/news/emirates-biotech-selects-sulzer-technology-for-worlds-largest-polylactic-acid-facility-in-united-arab-emirates-plant-will-produce-160-000-tonnes-annually-when-operational-in-2028-167026645728 – Emirates Biotech has selected Sulzer’s technology for its upcoming Polylactic Acid (PLA) production plant in the UAE. The facility, set to be the largest PLA production facility globally, will be constructed in two phases, each with an annual capacity of 80,000 tonnes, totaling 160,000 tonnes per annum. The plant aims to support regional and global efforts to combat plastic pollution and climate change, with the expected volume of bioplastic material sufficient to replace approximately 3.2 billion plastic bottles and reduce CO₂ emissions by over 300,000 tonnes annually.
Noah Fact Check Pro
The draft above was created using the information available at the time the story first
emerged. We’ve since applied our fact-checking process to the final narrative, based on the criteria listed
below. The results are intended to help you assess the credibility of the piece and highlight any areas that may
warrant further investigation.
Freshness check
Score:
8
Notes:
The narrative presents new information about Emirates Biotech’s collaboration with UAEU to enhance PLA innovation, which has not been reported elsewhere. However, similar developments regarding Emirates Biotech’s PLA production facility have been reported since December 2024. ([plastech.biz](https://www.plastech.biz/en/news/Emirates-Biotech-selects-Sulzer-technology-to-build-20147?utm_source=openai)) The inclusion of updated data on the partnership with UAEU justifies a higher freshness score but should still be flagged. ([arabnews.com](https://www.arabnews.com/node/2558996/corporate-news?utm_source=openai)) The article includes updated data but recycles older material, which may justify a higher freshness score but should still be flagged. ([arabnews.com](https://www.arabnews.com/node/2558996/corporate-news?utm_source=openai))
Quotes check
Score:
9
Notes:
The article includes direct quotes from Professor Mohamed H. Al-Marzouqi and Professor Sulaiman Al Zuhair of UAEU, as well as from Emirates Biotech’s CEO Marc Verbruggen. These quotes appear to be original and have not been found in earlier material. No identical quotes appear in earlier material, suggesting potentially original or exclusive content.
Source reliability
Score:
7
Notes:
The narrative originates from Packaging MEA, a regional industry publication. While it provides detailed information, the publication’s reputation and editorial standards are not widely known, which introduces some uncertainty. The report mentions Emirates Biotech, a joint venture between SS Royal Kit Emirates Investment and Global Biopolymers Industries, both of which have limited online presence, raising concerns about their verifiability. This lack of verifiable information about the entities involved may indicate potential fabrication.
Plausability check
Score:
8
Notes:
The narrative presents plausible claims about Emirates Biotech’s collaboration with UAEU to enhance PLA innovation and the construction of a large-scale PLA production facility in the UAE. These developments align with the UAE’s Green Agenda 2030 and global efforts to combat plastic pollution. However, the lack of supporting detail from other reputable outlets and the limited verifiability of the entities involved raise concerns about the narrative’s credibility. The tone and language used are consistent with official communications, but the lack of specific factual anchors and the presence of unverifiable entities suggest potential synthetic content.
Overall assessment
Verdict (FAIL, OPEN, PASS): FAIL
Confidence (LOW, MEDIUM, HIGH): MEDIUM
Summary:
The narrative presents new information about Emirates Biotech’s collaboration with UAEU to enhance PLA innovation, but it recycles older material and includes unverifiable entities, raising concerns about its credibility. The lack of supporting detail from other reputable outlets and the limited verifiability of the entities involved suggest potential fabrication. The tone and language used are consistent with official communications, but the lack of specific factual anchors and the presence of unverifiable entities suggest potential synthetic content.
