Ibri: Greenova, a student-led firm at the University of Technology and Applied Sciences in Ibri, has made a breakthrough by extracting raw materials as alternatives to plastic and creating sophisticated health items from the mesquite tree (Prosopis juliflora).
This ground-breaking effort combines green economy concepts with biotechnology, representing Omani inventiveness and sustainable entrepreneurship. The business has emerged as a trailblazer in converting what was once regarded as a hazardous plant into a hub for environmental and industrial innovation.
Badr Said Al Azizi, CEO of Greenova, said: With over two years of expertise in creativity and entrepreneurship, the firm has earned a national and global name by inventing a mesquite-based alternative to plastic. This material is stronger, more affordable, shatterproof, and heat resistant.
He noted that the material's great efficiency has been validated by a respected study from the Plant Therapy Research Laboratory in China, overseen by top researchers, bolstering the innovation's validity and the product's durability.
He said that Greenova did not stop at ecologically friendly production; it also found medicinal and health benefits in the tree. The business has transformed the healthcare industry by extracting chemicals from mesquite leaves to create 100% natural hair wash, body wash, and soap from a native tree. This Omanimade product conforms with worldwide standards, competes in foreign marketplaces, and provides a safe and healthy alternative to current solutions.
The CEO emphasised that Greenova has reached remarkable milestones in a short period of time. Sales of its plastic substitute raw material have accounted for 40% of the Omani market in a single transaction, with a net daily profit of 35%, indicating the project's economic and environmental sustainability. This success was the result of significant efforts, including a strategic agreement with the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries, and Water Resources in A'Dhahira Governorate to use mesquite tree waste—which previously cost millions of riyals in yearly public tenders for disposal. As a result, an ecological burden has been transformed into an economic opportunity, establishing Greenova as a pioneer in circular economy strategies.
Elias Abdullah Al Hatmi of Greenova emphasized the company's engagement in several entrepreneurial activities on his turn, including Startup Weekend, national, and international hackathons, where it won first place in 2025. The business also competed in Qatar's 2024 Start of Science event, finishing as a finalist in Oman's Injaz showcase in 2025. Notably, Greenova received incubation help from the Oman Chamber of Commerce and Industry in A'Dhahira as part of the Dhakira Innovates initiative, solidifying the company's prominent position in sustainable innovation and entrepreneurship.
Al Hatmi stated that Greenova distinguishes itself by using a historically hazardous plant (mesquite) as a useful commercial and medicinal resource. The corporation produces a more efficient, cost-effective plastic alternative, extracts natural materials for high-quality health products, generates big profits, and opens up new economic opportunities. Greenova collaborates with government and private organizations to help achieve sustainability goals while remaining highly competitive in local and worldwide markets, serving as a successful model for green economy practices and transforming obstacles into possibilities.
