Saudi Arabia’s King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST) has signed an agreement with two Chinese companies for a project to manufacture environmentally friendly green plastic.

This project will utilize KAUST-developed technology based on high-mass aliphatic polycarbonate compounds. The experimental phase for this plastic is expected to take two years before commencing commercial production, and a specialized facility for this project will be constructed next year.

This green plastic is intended for use in manufacturing biomedical products and food packaging. Furthermore, up to 45 percent of the polycarbonate compounds developed by KAUST consist of environmentally friendly carbon dioxide.

KAUST’s green plastics are made using carbon dioxide (CO2) and raw materials from sustainable sources, as per the statement.

According to the statement, the two Chinese companies expressed their interest in introducing the polycarbonate compounds developed by KAUST into the market, with the goal of reaching a production capacity of one ton before expanding into full commercial manufacturing.

In August, the Ministry of Environment, Water and Agriculture (MEWA) has collaborated with King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST) to deliver the Development of Algal Biotechnology in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (DABKSA).

Last year, KAUST signed four strategic project agreements with the region’s leading power plant developer ACWA Power in order to enhance the desalination sector. This research collaboration further aims to drive greener desalination initiatives towards tangible impact both in Saudi Arabia and internationally, contributing to Saudi Vision 2030 and the UN Sustainable Development Goals.