Riyadh - Exclusive Sharikat Mubasher: Can we turn everyday waste into something useful for our communities? This simple thought is what started BioEnergy Arabia, a deep-tech startup based at Dhahran Techno Valley Company (DTVC) and King Fahd University of Petroleum & Minerals (KFUPM). Today, the team proudly announces the development and validation of a scalable waste-to-energy technology that transforms used cooking oil into high-quality biofuel.
BioEnergy Arabia is led by a group of Indonesian PhD students, who are Nur Allif Fathurrahman, Listya Eka Anggraini, Anisa Helena Isma Putri, and Izzul Qudsi, supported by Sharhan, Dr. Anton, and Abd. Rahman.
During their studies, they saw firsthand how improperly discarded used cooking oil harms soil, water, and local health. Instead of remaining observers, they combined their scientific backgrounds, under supervision of Prof. Abdulaziz Al-Saadi and Prof. Tawfik Saleh in Chemistry Department, KFUPM, to design a technology that is simple enough for everyday users, yet advanced enough to support circular-economy goals across the GCC region.
Their system uses solar energy to power a microwave reactor, allowing faster and efficient conversion of waste oil into biodiesel. Over time, through late-night experiments, broken prototypes, and many small wins, the idea matured into a working technology that is now ready for scaling.
The momentum behind BioEnergy Arabia did not happen overnight. It began when the team won the 3rd place in Renewable Energy Technical Incubator (RETI) competition hosted by Interdisciplinary Research Centre for Sustainability Energy System (IRC-SES) at KFUPM, securing their first funding to build and validate the initial prototype. This early success opened doors, including selection as Top-10 Innovators on Deep Tech Ventures Program (DVP) by DTVC and KFUPM for further development and incubator support. DTVC funding allowed the team to optimize the processing unit, strengthen their intellectual property, and prepare the groundwork for industrial pilot testing.
Their journey continued with another milestone, winning 1st Place at the Engineering Shark Tank 2025, organized by the Center of Excellence in Energy Efficiency (CEEE). This recognition not only boosted confidence in the technology’s commercial potential but also highlighted its relevance to national sustainability goals and regional energy security.
“We are grateful for every hand that has supported us, that help us to learn and grow day by day,” said Nur Allif, Founder of BioEnergy Arabia. “Our journey has taught us that innovation is not only about technology, it is also about people, timing, and the courage and opportunity to start. It is allow something meaningful begins to grow” said Listya, Co-Founder of BioEnergy Arabia. “Our hope is to build a technology that brings value to our communities and inspires more young researchers to take their ideas and make an impact”. The team’s development cycle included incubation, prototyping, and hands-on evaluation. The biofuel product has been successfully tested in generators and concrete mixers, demonstrating consistent reliability and efficiency under operational conditions.
BioEnergy Arabia also had the privilege of participating in Biban Global 2025, one of the largest entrepreneurship and innovation gatherings in the region, supported by DTVC. Being part of this global forum allowed the team to meet inspiring new colleagues, connect with potential customers, and explore meaningful partnership opportunities that strengthened their mission. The team was deeply grateful for the warm visit and continuous encouragement from Prof. M. Irfan Helmy, Education and Cultural Attaché (Atdikbud) at the Embassy of the Republic of Indonesia in Riyadh, whose presence at the booth reaffirmed the importance of collaboration between education, innovation, and entrepreneurship. Through this engagement, Atdikbud Riyadh emphasized that synergy between learning, innovation, and entrepreneurship is essential for shaping a future generation capable of adapting to global transformation. Now, BioEnergy Arabia welcomes collaboration with government agencies, investors, environmental organizations, industries, and community partners who share the vision of creating practical and affordable renewable fuel solutions for the region.