British company invests in plastic recycling projects in Arabia

British recycling technology company Ocean Polymers has partnered with local companies in the Arabian Peninsula to invest in the region's technology and recycling infrastructure to prevent plastic waste from flowing into the ocean.

Chief Executive Paul Rodger said marine polymer technology has been developed for 10 years to isolate, purify, extract hydrogen and complexes and other valuable by-products.

The technology used in the Arabian Peninsula is a test system used by the U.S. military.

Rogers added: 'Waste operators in the Persian Gulf are looking for attractive alternatives to landfills and mixed plastic incineration. Currently, processing mixed plastics is expensive. Our machines enable operators at waste disposal stations to convert this plastic waste into a source of income.'

Although the exact details of the system and process remain secret between the company and its partners, the plasma technology used is a combination of the company's existing North American and European engineering.

Once fully operational, the system's payback period is estimated to be less than two years.

According to Marine Polymer, the U.S. Navy and the U.S. Air Force currently use similar waste treatment methods.

This process collects and stores hydrogen and valuable by-products and resells them in global markets. Marine polymer says this is the first in the Middle East.

In the Arabian Peninsula, the company plans to work with major companies and government agencies in the region to overcome plastic waste.

The CEO added: 'We look forward to working with all the stakeholders of the GCC to clean up large amounts of plastic waste from the Arabian Peninsula. This plastic waste threatens the economy and the environment now and in the future.'

Marine polymer claims its land-based system can handle other forms of waste, including hospitals, dangerous toxic sludge and refinery residues currently present in landfills.

It is understood that Saudi Arabia's projects are mainly related to land-based systems. There may be a land-based system in the coastal areas, and all oil terminals and refineries in the eastern provinces belong to.

The recycling technology company is currently in talks with many international angel funds and foundations to ensure capital investment and financing for ships and land-based systems that collect plastic waste.

The company also launched a crowdfunding campaign this week to advance its long-term projects, including investment in areas previously considered inaccessible or limited economic value.

With the growth of the Middle East economy, the demand for more consumer packaged goods has also increased.

However, according to marine polymers, the development of waste management infrastructure has not kept up with the increase in waste generated.

The company quoted scientists as saying that more than half of the 8 million tons of plastic flowing into the ocean each year comes from developing countries, and their waste management lags behind a rapidly growing economy.