From June 21 to 24, Emirates Biotech will showcase its products at the Saudi Plastics & Petrochemicals Exhibition. This event marks the official entry of the Embio PLA product line into the Saudi market.
This highlights the environmental advantages of plant-based biopolymers-such as PLA-in sectors including packaging, food-service ware, consumer goods, and 3D printing, demonstrating their broad applicability in everyday products.
François de Bie, the company's Chief Commercial Officer, stated that the event offers a vital opportunity to understand the rapid growth of Saudi Arabia's plastics and sustainability sectors. "Saudi Arabia is a high-potential, fast-growing market for sustainable materials. Biopolymers like PLA support the Kingdom in achieving the sustainability goals outlined in Vision 2030, driving a societal shift toward more circular and sustainable material usage." Hashim Alfulful recently joined Emirates Biotech as Sales Development Manager for Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, and Kuwait.
Prashant Lohade, responsible for sales development in the UAE, Oman, and India, noted: "PLA biopolymers not only effectively reduce carbon footprints but are also recyclable and biodegradable. Using this material does not result in microplastic pollution."
In April 2026, CEO Marc Verbruggen stated in a media interview that construction work had been temporarily suspended due to logistical challenges and safety considerations. The planned capacity for the PLA plant is approximately 80,000 tons, with production slated to begin in 2028; the goal is to operate at least one-and ideally two-PLA production units. Currently, global annual plastic production stands at 200–300 million tons, while PLA production is only around 500,000–600,000 tons; however, PLA output is expected to grow significantly to the million-ton level in the future.
