thyssenkrupp to build biopolymer plant on the Arabian Peninsula

Signing ceremony during the COP28 with Werner Steinauer (CEO Uhde Inventa-Fischer), Miguel Ángel López Borrego (CEO thyssenkrupp AG), Harald Kroll (CEO Gulf Biopolymers Industries), Cord Landsmann (CEO thyssenkrupp Uhde) and Rajesh Kamath (CEO thyssenkrupp Uhde India)

thyssenkrupp Uhde has secured a Basic Engineering Package (BEP) and Front-End Engineering Design (FEED) package for the establishment of a biopolymer plant on the Arabian Peninsula. The plant is intended to produce an industrial large-scale volume of polylactic acid (PLA) polymer, utilizing lactic acid from corn as the primary feedstock. While polymer specialist Uhde Inventa-Fischer will perform the BEP for the PLA production based on its proprietary state-of-the-art technology, its sister company thyssenkrupp Uhde India will perform the FEED which covers the complete production complex including associated offsite and utilities.

The design of the biopolymer plant focuses on stringently optimized feedstock utilization during all stages: from starch conversion to lactic acid production, and finally polylactic acid production. An integral aspect of this project is the plant's ability to sustainably produce a range of PLA grades, addressing the diverse requirements of various industries such as packaging, textiles, and hygiene supplies.

"Replacing fossil feedstocks with renewable ones can minimize the ecological impact of entire value chains," stated Dr. Cord Landsmann, CEO thyssenkrupp Uhde. "This project is another proof that we can significantly contribute to a more sustainable production of much-needed materials for global key industries."

Harald Kroll, CEO Gulf Biopolymers Industries: “We are proud to announce the establishment of the first large biopolymer plant in the MENA region. This project is a milestone for the reduction of fossil-based plastics, and advancing the adoption of environmentally friendly PLA polymers.”

Derived from lactic acid, PLA stands out as a genuine biopolymer. It is produced from renewable biomass sources, and it is also biodegradable. This positions PLA as a sustainable alternative to conventional fossil-based plastics, offering a pragmatic solution for reducing the environmental footprint associated with plastic production and consumption.