Muscat – Restoon, a ten-member student startup from the University of Technology and Applied Sciences Nizwa, has recycled marble waste into environmentally friendly construction material.

The project, developed by Abdul Rahman al Kharousi, Amani Salim al Tobi, Sarah Abdullah al Adawi, Al Azhar al Qasimi, Ahmed al Qasabi, Reem al Omari, Azza Abdulaziz al Rahbi, Maryam al Sulaymani, Ahlam Muhammad al Subhi and Al Zahraa Ibrahim al Hadrami, produced bricks and cement from marble waste.

“We came up with the idea after pondering over the best way to recycle marble waste, which impacts our environment significantly as it is difficult to get rid of,” said Reem. “The product will help in reducing environment pollution, as well as revive local industry.”

Currently working on transforming the graduation project into a commercial one, the team’s challenges include funding, unavailability of specialised equipment and laboratories in the sultanate to conduct experiments of this nature.

In order to make Restoon a commercially viable project, the team is now focusing on increasing the volume of production and diversifying products.

“We need good marketing to reach the largest segment of consumers inside and outside the sultanate. We are also seeking a patent from the Ministry of Commerce, Industry and Investment Promotion,” Reem informed.

She hopes the culture of innovation is encouraged to develop in the sultanate. “This can be done by focusing on innovative ideas and creativity of young people, supporting them through specialised and intensive workshops, and creating platforms and centres that facilitate the work of innovation companies, besides framing industry-friendly legal procedures.”

Reem emphasised the need of a good team and idea – one that solves a problem or serves the community – for any startup to succeed.

She attributed the support of The Research Council and the team members’ families for their success for far.