The Problem : A Global Crisis of Plastic Waste and Wasted Resources
Over 20 million tons of plastic waste are generated globally each year, and 90% never gets recycled — instead polluting oceans, landfills, and ecosystems. In Tunisia, a parallel problem goes unnoticed: over 200,000 tons of palm biomass are discarded annually, burned or left to rot, releasing carbon emissions and degrading local land.
Two broken systems — plastic pollution and wasted biomass — with no bridge between them. That's the gap BOTAPLAST fills.
The Solution: Cellulose Triacetate from Palm Biomass
BOTAPLAST converts abandoned palm biomass from Tunisian oasis regions into Cellulose Triacetate — a high-performance, biodegradable raw material that can replace carbon-intensive, oil-based plastics. The process: collect discarded palm biomass at the source, then transform it into a versatile material that matches conventional plastic's performance without its 400-year decomposition timeline.
Impact
- Decoupling from fossil fuels — reduces industrial reliance on petroleum-based plastic feedstocks
- Active resource recovery — turns 200,000 tons of discarded biomass into a standardized industrial material
- Emissions mitigation — ends open-air burning of agricultural waste
- Eliminating persistence — biodegradable alternative to synthetic polymers in oceans and soil
This work contributes to seven UN Sustainable Development Goals: SDG 7 (Clean Energy), 8 (Economic Growth), 12 (Responsible Consumption), 13 (Climate Action), 14 (Life Below Water), 15 (Life on Land), and 17
Recognition & Growth
- Finalists at the National Expo
- 10+ key partnerships in green technology and industrial manufacturing
- Represented Tunisia at the International Enactus Expo in Thailand (2025)
- 3rd place at the International Early-Stage Finals
Our Vision : A New Standard for Industries
BOTAPLAST aims to fundamentally restructure how industry interacts with the environment — not just replacing oil-based plastics, but building a circular model that recovers neglected resources. By turning Tunisia's palm biomass into a critical industrial asset, we're setting a new standard for responsible production and a blueprint for cross-border environmental innovation.