Othalo Turns Plastic Waste for Dubai’s Education Hub

Othalo turns plastic waste into sustainable building materials that are transforming Dubai’s green landscape. The Norwegian startup, led by founder Frank Cato Lahti, has won Dubai Holding’s “Innovate for Tomorrow” sustainability challenge and is now constructing the UAE’s first-ever multipurpose education hub made entirely from recycled plastic at The Green Planet Dubai.

Othalo’s patented technology converts up to 75% of plastic waste into a durable, lightweight composite that’s more than seven times stronger than concrete. “The hub will be our proof of concept — showcasing that waste can become a valuable, high-performing building material,” said Lahti.

As part of the Dh500,000 prize and ongoing support from Dubai Holding, Othalo’s pilot aligns with the UAE’s Circular Economy Policy 2031 and Net Zero by 2050 strategy. The energy-efficient structure aims to educate and inspire visitors to rethink plastic waste and sustainability.

The new education hub will integrate with the Green Planet’s rainforest ecosystem, home to over 3,000 species, serving as both a physical innovation showcase and an interactive community space. “We’re turning one of the world’s biggest problems — plastic waste — into a solution that improves lives,” Lahti added.

Beyond Dubai, Othalo has already implemented similar concepts in Kenya and Norway and plans to build 1,000 eco-homes in Brazil. The company is currently in discussions with the World Bank to scale operations globally. Supported by UN-Habitat, Othalo’s technology has earned international acclaim for tackling two global challenges simultaneously — plastic pollution and housing shortages.

The “Innovate for Tomorrow” competition, launched by Dubai Holding, encourages entrepreneurs to design circular solutions for environmental sustainability. Applications for the next cycle are open, with a Dh850,000 prize pool for innovations in food waste reduction, resource recovery, and digital sustainability.