Plant Based Bottles

FEATURE

Plant-based bottles: What does Sustainability look like in the Bottled Water Industry?

Bio-degradable packaging could revolutionise the industry, and Tariq Al

Wahedi, CEO of Agthia

Group PJSC, is leading the way T he food and beverage industry, just like all industry sectors, is undergoing a sustainability revolution, and product packaging is at the centre of this transition. It is difficult to imagine a life without the cheap, versatile, safe, and extremely useful plastic packaging. But as billions of pounds of plastic flow into the ocean each year and inevitably end up in our own bodies, bioplastics have emerged as a potential alternative.

recyclable plant-based bottle for its signature product, Al Ain Water. The environmentally-friendly bottle uses plant fermented sugars which are converted into a special resin polymer that entirely eliminates the need for petroleum or its by-products for production, thus reducing the bottles’ CO 2 emissions.

Agthia is one of the leading Abu Dhabi based food and beverage companies that pledged its commitment to the environment a number of years ago. Since then, Agthia has been promoting a circular economy by developing more sustainable packaging and ensuring the collection and recycling of the products at their end-of-life stages. Years on, the company continues to focus its efforts on sustainability and it is clear to see that these have come into fruition.

The bio-degradable bottle was developed at Agthia’s Packaging Technology Center in Al Ain. The Center was one of the first of its kind to open in the UAE and was inaugurated by His Excellency Dr Thani bin Ahmed Al Zeyoudi, Minister of Climate Change and Environment. Reinforcing Agthia’s commitment to sustainability and innovation, the Center focuses on the development of sustainable packaging technologies under the strictest quality standards and energy-saving manufacturing conditions to innovate the food and beverage industry.

When we interviewed Tariq Al Wahedi, the Group CEO, at the launch at Gulfood 2020 last month, he claimed: “I am proud to say that we are one of the few companies that is taking the lead”. During our conversation, it was very clear that this business mogul is genuinely committed to making a change in the industry for the better. What was exceptionally captivating

was his urge to share his ideas within the industry and create a lasting impact.

In fact, also on the sidelines of Gulfood, the Gulf Bottled Water Association (GBWA), dedicated to the bottled water industry, was formed. The association, founded by Al Wahedi, the Chairman of Emirates Refreshments, and the CEOs of Mai Dubai, and National Food Products Company, was formed to bring together

Years on, the company continues to focus its efforts on sustainability and it is clear to see that these have come into fruition. “

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regional industry leaders to address sustainability and environmental issues along with the sector challenges, improving economic competitiveness, and increasing awareness among consumers. “We are excited to bring a voice to the GCC’s bottled water industry through the launch of Gulf Bottled Water Association. This MoU welcomes any entity, partnership, or corporation engaged in the bottling of water or in the distribution of bottled water, or in supplying related products or services within the GCC” said Al Wahedi.

The association is key to addressing one of the biggest sustainability challenges – misconceptions. PET plastics is one such case. Water bottles are made of completely recyclable polyethylene terephthalate (PET) plastics which are globally recognised as safe, recyclable packaging material. Pressured by environmentalists, countries around the world have begun to ban the use of single-use plastics, including PETs, or imposing taxes on them to reduce their consumption. The trouble with this is that, as Al Wahedi phrased it, “PETs are not the villain, we are”. This packaging material is 100% recyclable thus it reduces the use of fossil fuels and the emission of CO 2 in comparison to virgin plastics. The problem lies in the circular system. Without proper consumer awareness, and a collection and segregation system, the recycling of the bottles cannot take place.

Agthia is leading also in this aspect. The company has partnered with Veolia, a global leader in optimised resource management, to launch several sustainability initiatives that will establish a circular ecosystem and pave the way towards more PET recycling in the region. The MoU will increase the accessibility and easiness of recycling through a number of waste collection schemes in the UAE and includes the use of digital solutions, various awareness programmes, as well as incentive schemes. The initiative was praised by HE Dr Al Zeyoudi, and underscores the companies’ shared commitment to drive sustainability efforts by working together with the community. There is no single solution to the problem of plastic waste – the approach needs to combine reducing, reusing and recycling. Through Al Wahedi’s leadership, Agthia is promoting recycling of plastic waste and reducing plastic consumption – creating a more sustainable and circular economy.

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