TotalEnergies Corbion, a global leader in bioplastics innovation, has signed a strategic distribution agreement with Multi Trade Group, appointing the company as its main partner for Luminy® PLA across the Middle East.
The deal covers key markets including the United Arab Emirates and Saudi Arabia, and is aimed at expanding access to sustainable bioplastics for industries ranging from packaging to textiles.
Luminy® PLA (polylactic acid) is a renewable plastic that offers strength and durability for reusable products, while also providing sustainable end-of-life options. Unlike traditional plastics that linger in the environment, Luminy® PLA can be recycled, composted, or chemically broken down. In industrial composting facilities, it biodegrades faster than everyday food waste such as banana or orange peels.
The product line includes standard, low-heat, and high-heat resistant grades, as well as PDLA for stereocomplex compounds. Its applications extend to packaging, food service ware, textiles, durable consumer goods, and 3D printing.
The partnership also covers recycled versions of Luminy® PLA, which contain 30% or 100% recycled content. Life-cycle analysis indicates significant carbon savings: virgin Luminy® PLA cuts emissions by 85% compared with conventional plastics, while 100% recycled PLA achieves a negative carbon footprint of -0.65 kg CO₂-equivalent per kilogram.
At a signing ceremony in Sharjah, Asif Iftekhar, chief executive of Multi Trade Group, said the partnership reflected the company’s mission to build a sustainable future.
“We are committed to delivering sustainability, recyclability, and solutions that reduce our carbon footprint and waste impact,” he said.
Derek Atkinson, vice-president of sales at TotalEnergies Corbion, described Multi Trade Group as an “ideal partner” thanks to its local expertise and market reach.
“Together, we can help customers reduce environmental impact, achieve ambitious sustainability goals, and accelerate the shift toward a regenerative circular economy,” he added.
The agreement comes as governments across the Middle East place increasing emphasis on reducing emissions, diversifying materials, and transitioning away from single-use conventional plastics.
TotalEnergies Corbion operates a 75,000-ton-per-year production facility in Rayong, Thailand, and is a pioneer in chemical recycling of PLA. Through hydrolysis depolymerisation, it produces recycled PLA (rPLA) with the same performance and food-contact approval as virgin material.
Industry observers suggest that the collaboration could position Luminy® PLA as a scalable and high-performance alternative in a region where demand for both sustainable solutions and robust plastics continues to rise.
With mounting pressure from regulators and consumers for eco-friendly alternatives, the Middle East’s plastics industry may find Luminy® PLA an appealing bridge between performance and responsibility.
