Muscat – A group of eight students from University of Technology and Applied Sciences Nizwa has founded a startup called Reqaa, a company engaged in converting paper waste into biofuel.

The innovative project underscores the creativity of Omani youth while highlighting the country’s commitment to sustainability and renewable energy solutions.

Speaking to Muscat Daily, Mohammed bin Waleed al Shukaili, CEO of Reqaa, informed that the project was born out of the need to tackle the growing environmental challenge posed by paper waste. “The primary goal is to address the vast amounts of paper waste generated every day. Instead of allowing this waste to end up in landfills, we decided to turn it into a clean, renewable energy source,” he said.

Shukaili noted that the inspiration for the project stemmed from observing the huge quantity of paper waste being discarded without any productive use. The team’s innovative solution involves transforming this paper waste into bioethanol through a process known as bio-fermentation.

“The process begins with converting cellulose found in paper into fermentable sugars using bio-modified enzymes,” Shukaili explained. “These sugars are then fermented into bioethanol by bacteria and yeast, creating a sustainable, eco-friendly energy source.” The team targets cellulose-rich paper products – including newspaper and office waste  – for the process.

In addition to its environmental impact, the project has the potential to significantly reduce paper waste sent to landfills. “We believe this project could reduce landfill waste by up to 70%,” said Aya Khamis al Batrani, the company’s Research and Development Officer. “Additionally, the bioethanol produced can cut carbon dioxide emissions by up to 50% compared to fossil fuels.”

While the project currently focuses on paper waste, Reqaa is looking to expand its scope by incorporating other types of organic waste into the biofuel production process. The team is also working on improving the efficiency of their fermentation techniques and integrating renewable energy sources like solar power into the production stages to further reduce the carbon footprint of their operations.

However, despite the promising progress, Reqaa faces significant financial challenges. “Fuel production requires substantial investment and securing the necessary funding is one of the biggest obstacles we face,” Shukaili said. “We are actively seeking partnerships with private companies and exploring opportunities to obtain a patent from the Ministry of Commerce, Industry and Investment Promotion.”

He added that the team is looking forward to participating in the Injaz Oman Competition, where they hope to win first place, secure funding and set up a small factory to scale up their biofuel production.