Al Ain pilot aims to turn food waste into biogas and compost

United Arab Emirates University and Emirates Biotech have launched a research project in Al Ain to test whether food waste and compostable packaging can be converted into renewable biogas and compost. The partners plan to design, build and operate a pilot plant near the university campus.

Once commissioned, the facility is expected to process up to 40kg of organic waste a day. It will combine anaerobic digestion, which produces biogas as organic material breaks down, with composting of the remaining material. The project aims to measure how well the process works in local conditions.

The two-year research programme runs from August 2026 to August 2028. Installation and commissioning of the plant are expected to be completed by August 2027, according to the project announcement. The launch marks the start of the research partnership; the pilot plant is not yet operating.

Researchers will study the technical, environmental and economic performance of the system. Their findings could guide decisions on whether the approach can be expanded elsewhere in the UAE. The project will also give students and researchers practical training in turning waste into useful resources.