OMAN – Three innovative National University of Science and Technology students, Al Yaqeen Amur Asuti, Reem Ahmed al Qassabi, and Ahamed al Awad, have developed a groundbreaking device that transforms palm waste into circular, green aluminum.
Their project, titled “Green Initiative for Utilizing Omani Palm Waste to Produce Circular Green Aluminum,” aims to promote sustainability and drive a zero-waste economy in Oman.
The project emerged in response to Oman’s significant agricultural waste problem, particularly the large quantities of waste generated by palm trees.
According to project supervisor Dr. Shabib al Rashdi, this initiative aligns with Oman’s Vision 2040 sustainability goals by offering an eco-friendly solution for managing palm waste.
The process involves extracting lignin from palm waste and applying it to commercial aluminum, enhancing its recyclability and reducing its environmental footprint. This innovation marks one of Oman’s first ventures into zero-waste technology.
Once fully operational, the project is expected to produce 800 tonnes of circular green aluminum annually.
The next phase will focus on manufacturing the device in China and conducting trials at Oman’s Waste Research Laboratory, positioning the initiative as a leader in waste-to-resource innovation.
The project’s recycling process integrates renewable energy, reducing carbon emissions and supporting green industry practices.
Despite its progress, the team faced challenges, including technical hurdles in adapting recycling technologies, logistical difficulties in collecting palm waste from remote areas, and a lack of initial expertise.
However, through international collaborations and creative problem-solving, they overcame these obstacles.
Their success was recognized when they won first place in the Ministry of Higher Education, Research and Innovation’s (MoHERI) Upgrade Competition 2024 and secured third place in the We Are Oman Competition 2024.
Looking ahead, the team plans to scale up operations to handle larger volumes of palm waste, creating job opportunities in rural areas and raising environmental awareness.
They also aim to encourage industries to adopt sustainable practices, contributing to Oman’s Vision 2040 goals by advancing the circular economy and promoting a low-carbon future.
This initiative addresses environmental challenges and fosters economic growth and innovation in Oman’s green industry sector.
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