Emirates Biotech and UAEU launch first integrated organic-waste valorisation pilot plant
If successfully scaled the integrated organic waste valorisation plant could potentially reduce CO₂ emissions by 89% compared to landfilling
Emirates Biotech and United Arab Emirates University (UAEU) are collaborating on a research project to design, construct, and operate the UAE’s inaugural integrated organic-waste valorisation pilot plant. The project aims to transform mixed food waste streams, which include compostable packaging, into renewable biogas and nutrient-rich compost. The partnership was launched at UAE University in Al Ain, in the presence of key stakeholders from various value chains.
The pilot plant, strategically located near the UAEU campus in Al Ain, has the capacity to process up to 40kg of organic waste daily. The project’s primary focus is to develop technical and operational guidelines that will support the potential expansion of this model in the UAE and beyond.
In the UAE, food waste constitutes a significant portion of daily municipal solid waste, accounting for nearly 40%. A substantial amount of this waste is disposed of in landfills. Traditional plastic packaging heavily contaminated with food residues presents challenges in terms of recycling. The project seeks to explore the possibility of processing food waste and compostable packaging together, thereby recovering valuable resources and effectively diverting waste from landfills.
Dr. Rami, Associate Provost for Research, UAEU stated, “We believe that solving societal and environmental challenges requires strong collaboration between academia and industry. Our partnership with Emirates Biotech demonstrates how research and innovation can be translated into practical, scalable solutions that support the UAE’s sustainability goals.”
“This integrated pilot project will evaluate a practical end-of-life pathway for food waste and compostable packaging, while supporting the UAE’s circular economy, food security and Net Zero ambitions. It will also provide a platform for training students and researchers and strengthening local capability in waste-to-resource technologies,” said Professor Zafar Said Sher, UAEU project lead.
The pilot plant will combine anaerobic digestion and composting to generate renewable biogas and nutrient-rich compost. Over the 2-year project, researchers will assess the performance, environmental, and economic viability of this integrated process. Installation and commissioning are expected to be completed by August 2027.
Students and researchers will actively participate in the project, gaining practical research experience and technical training. Additionally, a laboratory-scale assessment will explore the potential of converting the biogas into renewable hydrogen, the statement noted.
“The project will demonstrate a novel integrated biorefinery concept for organic waste management in the UAE. Anaerobic digestion will convert organic waste into renewable biogas, with the potential for upgrading to green hydrogen. The resulting digestate will undergo composting to produce nutrient-rich compost. Successful regional validation could be a game changer for organic waste diversion and circularity, while demonstrating the role of compostable packaging as an enabler,” explained Dr. Aman Kulshrestha, Chief Technology Officer of Emirates Biotech.
If successfully scaled, an integrated organic waste valorisation plant could potentially reduce CO₂ emissions by 89% compared to landfilling, the statement said.
By generating validated technical evidence, the project aims to provide a scalable and modular roadmap for transforming food waste and compostable packaging into renewable biogas and compost. This approach supports the UAE’s long-term waste management, circular economy, and sustainability goals, it concluded.
