Al Bayader International's global relationships promote circular economy and environmental sustainability

The company has also launched innovative sustainable products. At the Private Label and Licensing Middle East (PLLME) event at Gulfood Manufacturing 2022, several new strategic initiatives were unveiled. The foundation of the collaboration was Reifenhäuser of Germany's award-winning R-Cycle programme. Reifenhäuser, a company that has been around since 1911, is in the forefront of developing innovative, eco-friendly solutions. All products will be marked with a marker, like a QR code or a digital watermark, that can be scanned at the time of waste disposal or in recycling plants to place the product in the best end-of-life area, and the R-Cycle initiative, based on GS1 standards, provides the infrastructure for this digital product passport. This, in turn, guarantees improved recycling efficiency and sorting quality. Pilot projects will employ R-Cycle to demonstrate the incorporation of recycled materials into packaging, with a later emphasis on utilising the programme to encourage proper sorting at collection points, leading to higher-quality recycled plastics with less contamination.

Dr. Benedikt Brenken, Director of the R-Cycle Initiative, stated, “This is a crucial step to further internationalize R-Cycle and to debut in the GCC region. We are very pleased to have found a strong and experienced partner in Al Bayader International, who has mastered the local business since 1991, while being internationally positioned with more than 1000 employees and steadily growing in further markets, including Europe and Africa.”

Sulapac, a Finnish business that has been a leader in the development of sustainable materials for use in a variety of industries, including the food packaging industry, has also renewed its cooperation with Al Bayader International. Previously, Al Bayader International and Sulapac collaborated to introduce their eco-friendly Gaa tableware collection. Plant-based Gaa is compostable, recyclable, and biodegradable in both land and sea settings without leaving behind any microplastics.

Nidal Haddad, Founder & CEO of Al Bayader International, stated, “These will be industry game changers, supporting the march to sustainability underpinned by the UAE Circular Economy Policy announced recently. We are honored to bring such global partnerships that further reiterate our commitment to promoting the UAE’s Net Zero by 2050 Strategic Initiative and to serve as a model for our stakeholders ahead of COP28 which will be held in UAE next year.”

Reducing, reusing, and recycling are at the heart of the 4-R Pathway to Circularity, which Al Bayader International has recently stated it will be putting into practise. With this method, plastic packaging is less likely to wind up in the environment because it is easier to reuse and recycle, and its carbon impact is lessened thanks to eco-friendly design. It also maximises efficiency by making the most of available resources. Sustainable packaging options from Al Bayader International include the sugarcane-based Sukkar line. Less carbon dioxide is released during manufacture, and the product can be composted in an industrial setting. Gaia, Al Bayader's plant-based product line, is fully biodegradable in both land fill and ocean environments and does not break down into microplastics. The Terra collection is made from plant-based materials, allowing for a high-quality feel and appearance, as well as the possibility of reuse. As a result of its wood content, this material may be recycled up to 100 times while still maintaining its superior strength, durability, and functionality compared to traditional plastic. The plastic used in Al Bayader's Bio'd substance also biodegrades thanks to innovative new technology. The organic additive is the cheapest component in our environmentally friendly product line, and it may be utilised with PS, PP, and PET. Its dedication to sustainability is demonstrated by the 980 kWp solar rooftop plant it constructed at its Jebel Ali facility last year; the plant covers an area of 4,000 square metres and is expected to provide over 1.5 GWh of clean electricity annually.