Sulzer technology used in polylactic acid production facility

Sulzer’s technology has been selected by Emirates Biotech for its upcoming polylactic acid (PLA) production plant in the United Arab Emirates.
The facility will be constructed in two phases, each with an annual capacity of 80,000 tonnes, resulting in a total production capacity of 160,000 tonnes per annum. Once completed, it will be the largest PLA production facility in the world.
PLA offers a sustainable alternative to traditional plastics.
Emirates Biotech will leverage Sulzer’s licensed PLA technology to manage all production steps from a single location, including lactide production, purification and polymerisation. The facility will also use a plant-based feedstock to produce high-quality PLA bioplastics at scale, positioning the Middle East as a key player in the bioplastics industry.
Tim Schulten, division president of Chemtech, said: “We are thrilled to collaborate with Emirates Biotech on this groundbreaking project.
“By bringing our advanced PLA production technology to the UAE, we are supporting the region's transition to more sustainable materials and contributing to a greener future.”
Emmanuel Rapendy, global head polymers and Crystallisation for Sulzer Chemtech continued: “With environmental challenges highlighting the need for the global adoption of biopolymers, this is an extremely important project that reflects our ethos of tackling sustainability from the ground up. Our technologies not only enable cleaner processes and end products but also ensure that our equipment and systems have a very high degree of efficiency, limiting the energy input required for operation.”
Marc Verbruggen, CEO of Emirates Biotech, said: “Our partnership with Sulzer marks a key milestone in our journey to establish a world-class PLA production facility. Sulzer's expertise and innovative solutions will be crucial in achieving our vision of leading the biopolymer industry while contributing to a more sustainable future.”