Gaia Biomaterials has entered into a distribution agreement with Dubai-based RA International for its compostable plastic alternative, Biodolomer, in the GCC region. The material, based on limestone, can be used for both soft and rigid applications across almost all plastic conversion technologies.

The Gulf countries consume large volumes of packaging materials and single-use plastics, creating a growing environmental challenge. Authorities in the region are moving rapidly toward more sustainable solution, with the UAE committing to zero waste to landfill by 2030 and Saudi Arabia targeting 100% diversion under Vision 2030.

“When we learned about Gaia’s Biodolomer, it was clear that it would be perfect for the region,” says founder and CEO, Soraya Narfeldt.

“As there is little recycling infrastructure in place, a compostable material makes a lot of sense. Over the past six months, we have spoken to many stakeholders in the field, and the interest is very strong.”

Biodolomer is certified compostable in both the EU and the USA. It does not generate microplastics and contains no PFAS or added chemicals. The resulting compost, rich in calcium, is well-suited for landscaping. The patented material was invented and is produced in Sweden.

The distribution agreement covers all GCC countries, and the initial focus will be on the UAE, Saudi Arabia, and Qatar.

“Entering the GCC region is very exciting,” says Gaia Biomaterials CEO, Peter Stenström.

“We have received many inquiries over the past years, but RA International has conducted research in a way that is unique. They also demonstrate a genuine commitment to sustainability and have deep knowledge of the region.”

RA International is a leading provider of services to remote locations in Africa and the Middle East. The company has around 1,300 employees in more than 15 countries and specializes in construction, integrated facilities management, and supply chain services. Its customers include UN agencies, Western governments, and global corporations. The new agreement with Gaia Biomaterials will lead to the establishment of a dedicated business unit.

“Through our work in remote locations, we have gained many years of experience in waste management,” Narfeldt adds.

“We understand the complexities and the need for new solutions, and with Gaia and Biodolomer we found exactly that. With our base in Dubai, we are also ideally located from a logistics perspective.”

The agreement took effect on September 1. First customer deliveries are expected in Q1 2026.

Thursday, November 13, 2025, 8:30 am - 4:30 pm

8:00 am to 8:30 am coffee and light refreshments

UM SmartPark Innovation Hub, 100 Innovation Drive, Winnipeg, MB

RCFTR Food Technology and Research Day is open to all industry professionals featuring speakers from industry and academia on food ingredient testing, processing and applications. Attendees will connect with researchers and students, take in poster sessions, tour the RCFTR’s laboratories, and learn more about research in food and human nutritional sciences at this world class facility.

Keynote speaker is Mulu Kassa, founder and director of BioTEI Inc.

Lunch provided. Free parking is available.

Please RSVP here by Friday, October 31.

Strathmore, Alta., Sept. 10, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- A new Canadian-led innovation is strengthening local food manufacturing, supporting supply chain resilience, and positioning Canada as a global leader in high-value, plant-based ingredients. With support from Protein Industries Canada, Alberta start-up Phytokana Ingredients Inc. (Phytokana), in partnership with Vancouver-based Maia Farms, is advancing a $32.5 million project to turn Canadian-grown fava beans into nutritious and sustainable ingredients for the next generation of plant-based foods. Of the $32.5 million being invested $25.9 million will come from the industry partners, and $6.6 million from Protein Industries Canada.

“This investment marks an exciting leap forward for Canada’s plant-based ingredient sector. By harnessing innovative technologies and capturing the full potential of Canadian crops, we are strengthening Canada’s position as a leading global supplier, opening up new markets and creating high-quality jobs for Canadians,” said the Honourable Mélanie Joly, Minister of Industry and Minister responsible for Canada Economic Development for Quebec Regions. “With support from Protein Industries Canada, one of Canada’s global innovation clusters, this project will deliver sustainable food products with increased traceability, helping Canada achieve its environmental goals while strengthening consumer confidence.”

The project brings together Canadian farmers, processors and food tech innovators to strengthen the domestic value chain for fava beans, while bringing superior products to global consumers. Using its proprietary technology, which avoids heat and chemicals, Phytokana will process novel fava varieties into protein concentrate, starch flour and fava flour with improved taste, texture and nutrition. These sustainable, high-quality ingredients retain their natural functionality, making them ideal for use in dairy alternatives, plant-based meats and other food products.

“As countries around the world look to secure their own food supply chains and diversify protein sources, plant-based ingredients, such as those that are being developed by Phytokana and Maia Farms, are becoming increasingly in demand by our trading partners,” Protein Industries Canada Senior Director of Programs Lisa Campbell said. “Projects such as this one, which help capture the economic value of creating those ingredients domestically, also position Canada as a preferred trading partner in a competitive and quickly changing world.”

In addition to commercializing their proprietary technology, Phytokana is also in the process of securing funding to construct and commission a fully automated 30,000 metric tonne a year dry fractionation processing facility. The facility, which will be built near Strathmore, AB, will allow the company to scale to meet the growing global demand.

“Our native functionality and superior sensory fava ingredients are the culmination of research and innovation in collaboration with some of the world’s leading food and beverage companies. This contribution from Protein Industries Canada primarily supports the direct investment into our custom-designed process flow, overlain with automation and advanced predictive process controls that serve to deliver value-added, sustainable and consistent quality food ingredients to global markets,” Phytokana President & CEO Chris Theal said.

The project also includes a partnership with Vancouver’s Maia Farms, a food tech company that uses fermentation to upcycle flours into high-value fermented mushroom proteins with enhanced digestibility and functional properties. Phytokana will supply Maia Farms with their fava ingredients, which Maia Farms will use to create new mycelium-based ingredients.

“Maia’s mission is to Nourish Life on a global scale. Maia has established commercial partnerships from coast to coast, building the infrastructure to establish Canada as a leader in mushroom-based protein ingredients and fermentation technology. Maia’s ingredients for food manufacturers are nutrient dense, sustainable, and delicious. With the support of Protein Industries Canada, Maia will further advance its biomass fermentation technology, upcycling Phytokana’s fava ingredients into value-added, sustainable ingredients. We are grateful to expand this valuable partnership,” Maia Farms CEO Gavin Schneider said.

Protein Industries Canada is one of Canada’s five Global Innovation Clusters. Protein Industries Canada and its members are working to seize the $25 billion opportunity presented by increasing value-added production of Canada’s high-protein crops.

Projects and partnerships like this one add value to, and create new markets for, Canadian crops, generating local jobs and supporting new economic development in locations across Canada. More information can be found at 

ATLANTA, September 10, 2025 - Graphic Packaging International (“Graphic Packaging”), a global leader in sustainable consumer packaging, will unveil two first-to-market innovations at drinktec 2025 (September 15-19, Messe München, Munich, Germany), offering beverage brands and producers new ways to drive premium shelf presence, eliminate shrink film, and maximise operational efficiency.

Drawing on the company’s proven innovative technology capabilities, the two innovations — wrap-style paperboard multipacks with primary container orientation and a modular multipack system for shrink film replacement on tertiary packaging, including clip-style solutions — will be demonstrated at the Graphic Packaging booth, Hall C1, C1-321.

This latest design of wrap-style multipacks ensures that the orientation of the primary container is consistently maintained through the supply chain and onto the retail shelf. This innovation not only enhances on-shelf impact by ensuring every can faces the same direction but also eliminates the need for a separate ad panel to cover barcodes. This cuts paperboard volume by approximately 25 percent compared to wraps with an ad panel, supporting material minimisation goals.

Designed to run on a customer’s existing high-speed Marksman™ machine, the new wraps with orientation deliver excellent operational efficiency, do not compromise speed or machine footprint, and are ISTA 3E certified, providing assurance that they will meet tough supply chain demands.

Also debuting at drinktec 2025 is a new family of multipack modules designed to replace shrink-film on corrugated trays used for tertiary packaging or distribution. The modules can add paperboard clips (EnviroClip™ or EnviroTop™) to loose bottles and cans or can place paperboard multipacks directly into trays. The modules are fast, flexible, and compatible with a wide range of primary containers and pack configurations. They can be installed behind any current tray packer equipment, or with Graphic Packaging’s new QuikFlex™ TP tray packer, which is built on proven QuikFlex technology and can run both corrugated and paperboard trays.

“There’s a lot of talk in the industry about future-ready packaging, but what brands really need are solutions that work right here and now — on their lines, in their supply chains, and on the shelf,”said Steve Gould, director of new business development, global beverage, at Graphic Packaging. “

We’re working to move the industry forward in a way that’s practical, scalable, and sustainable, and that’s exactly what these systems represent. They’re smart, adaptable technologies designed to offer real-world gains, whether it’s plastic reduction, material savings, operational efficiency, or shelf appeal. drinktec is where the brightest and best in the beverage industry gather to solve meaningful challenges, and we’re proud to be innovating for change.”

To learn more about Graphic Packaging’s expertise in beverage packaging solutions, visit .