Al Ghurair Foods has announced the phased completion of the UAE’s first corn starch plant at Khalifa Economic Zones Abu Dhabi (KEZAD), targeting full operational rollout by the first quarter of 2026. The plant is expected to play a critical role in supporting key downstream sectors including the paper and packaging industries.
With major civil and MEP works now substantially completed, installation of processing equipment is underway. “We are targeting a phased completion in Q1 2026, with our flagship product set to launch during that quarter, followed by the introduction of additional products in subsequent phases,” said Hamad Al Ghurair, Vice President, Al Ghurair Foods.
Corn starch is essential in papermaking applications such as surface sizing, coating, and strengthening paper fibres—making this plant a timely boost for the region’s paper supply chain. The UAE currently imports around US$20 million worth of corn starch annually, a gap this project aims to close.
“Our primary focus will be on the UAE and neighbouring GCC countries, while also exploring potential growth opportunities in South Asia and key African markets,” Al Ghurair added. He noted that the corn starch market in the Middle East and Africa stood at approximately US$1.3 billion in 2024.
The development aligns with growing investment in the region’s recycled paper segment, which is projected to reach US$715.6 million by 2033, according to Sper Research. Industry players including Star Paper Mills (UAE), Kreyas Paper (Oman), and MEPCO (Saudi Arabia) are contributing to an estimated US$200 million in regional paper recycling investments, reinforcing the sector’s push toward sustainability and industrial integration.