UAE to host world's largest production plant for certain bioplastics
The world's largest bioplastic plant will soon become an industry player in Abu Dhabi's free trade zones.
UAE plastics firm Emirates Biotech plans to construct a polylactic acid bioplastic production facility in Abu Dhabi. It will be the largest such facility in the world, according to the Dubai-based plastic maker, surpassing one in the United States that has an annual capacity of 150,000 metric tons.
Polylactic acid bioplastics are biodegradable plastics with uses including agriculture, packaging, disposable utensils, medical devices and 3D printing. They are greener and have a lower carbon footprint than conventional plastics because they come from plant-based sources rather than petroleum, which makes up traditional plastics.
A statement from the companies involved issued Tuesday read that the plant will be built in one of the the Khalifa Economic Zones, Abu Dhabi's free trade zones. It will cost roughly $800 million and boast a total capacity of 160,000 metric tons per year.
Marc Verbruggen, the CEO of Dubai-based Emirates Biotech, told the Zawya news site that construction will begin in 2025, and production is planned to begin in 2028.
