Emirates Biotech has entered into a research collaboration with the United Arab Emirates University (UAEU) to advance the development of Polylactic Acid (PLA), a bio-based, biodegradable polymer with growing relevance to the packaging industry in the Middle East and Africa.
The initiative will focus on enhancing the performance and environmental viability of PLA, with particular attention to its use in packaging materials. Through joint research projects, UAEU’s faculty and students will work alongside Emirates Biotech scientists to explore new formulations, processing techniques, and end-of-life solutions, including composting and anaerobic digestion. These efforts aim to make PLA a more robust alternative to conventional plastics in food service ware, flexible packaging, and other applications.
“This collaboration will be instrumental in positioning PLA as a credible and sustainable alternative to fossil-based plastics,” said Dr. Aman Kulshrestha, Chief Technology Officer at Emirates Biotech. “We are proud to work alongside UAEU in advancing research that supports our vision for a circular economy.”
The partnership leverages UAEU’s expertise in materials science and its advanced research infrastructure. “Our partnership with Emirates Biotech aligns with our mission to advance engineering solutions that address sustainability challenges and foster innovation in materials science for long-term regional impact,” noted Professor Mohamed H. Al-Marzouqi, Dean of the College of Engineering at UAEU.
Professor Sulaiman Al Zuhair, Assistant Dean of Research and Graduate Studies, added, “This partnership reflects our commitment to innovation and our ambition to achieve international excellence in research.”
With growing regional interest in sustainable packaging solutions, this collaboration underscores the potential of academic-industry partnerships to meet environmental targets while supporting local manufacturing and innovation.
The research outcomes are expected to support commercial-scale applications of PLA, bolstering efforts to reduce plastic waste and improve material circularity across the region.