Technology company Emirates Biotech and the United Arab Emirates University have launched a new research initiative aimed at transforming food waste into valuable resources, including renewable energy and nutrient-rich compost.
The project will establish the UAE’s first integrated organic waste valorisation pilot plant. Located near the university campus in Al Ain, the facility will process mixed food waste streams that include compostable packaging materials. Researchers hope the project will demonstrate a practical way to reduce landfill waste while supporting the country’s sustainability goals.
The pilot plant will be capable of processing up to 40 kilograms of organic waste each day. The initiative is scheduled to run for two years, from August 2026 to August 2028. Installation and commissioning of the facility are expected to be completed by August 2027.
The project combines two waste treatment methods. The first is anaerobic digestion, a process that breaks down organic material without oxygen to produce biogas. The second is composting, which converts remaining material into nutrient-rich compost suitable for agricultural use.
Researchers will also explore whether the biogas produced through the process can be converted into renewable hydrogen at a laboratory scale. If successful, the approach could open new opportunities for clean energy production from waste materials.
Dr Aman Kulshrestha, Chief Technology Officer of Emirates Biotech, said the project introduces an integrated biorefinery model designed specifically for the UAE. He explained that organic waste will first be processed through anaerobic digestion to generate renewable biogas. The remaining digestate will then undergo composting to create a useful soil-enhancing product.
Kulshrestha said the pilot plant could help demonstrate how food waste and compostable packaging can be managed together in a circular system. He added that successful validation in regional conditions may support wider adoption of organic waste diversion strategies across the country.
Food waste remains a major challenge in the UAE. Project partners estimate that nearly 40 percent of daily municipal solid waste consists of food waste. Much of this material currently ends up in landfill sites, where it can contribute to greenhouse gas emissions and the loss of potentially valuable resources.
The new pilot facility will examine whether food waste and compostable packaging can be processed together efficiently. Researchers aim to recover energy and nutrients while reducing the amount of waste sent to landfills.
Professor Zafar Said Sher, who leads the project at UAEU, said the initiative will evaluate a practical end-of-life solution for organic waste and compostable materials. He noted that the research supports several national priorities, including the circular economy, food security, and the UAE’s long-term Net Zero objectives.
The project is also expected to create educational opportunities for students and researchers. Participants will gain hands-on experience in waste-to-resource technologies, renewable energy systems, and sustainable waste management practices.
University officials believe collaboration between academic institutions and private industry is essential for developing practical environmental solutions. Dr Rami, Associate Provost for Research at UAEU, said partnerships like this help transform scientific research into technologies that can be applied at a larger scale.
Project partners highlighted the potential environmental benefits of expanding the concept beyond the pilot stage. They estimate that a fully scaled integrated organic waste valorisation facility could reduce carbon dioxide emissions by as much as 89 percent compared with traditional landfill disposal methods.
The research program will generate technical data and operational insights over the next two years. Those findings are expected to help guide the development of larger modular facilities in the UAE and potentially in other markets facing similar waste management challenges.
As the country continues to invest in sustainability and clean energy initiatives, the pilot plant represents an important step toward converting waste into valuable resources. Supporters of the project believe it could provide a model for reducing landfill dependence while creating renewable energy and agricultural products from materials that would otherwise be discarded.
