Recycled Egyptian Plastic Businesses

At MAI-T, founder Karim Abdullatif builds the studio’s philosophy on a straightforward insight: in Egypt, informal recycling practices have long predated formalized systems and standardized infrastructure. The name “MAI-T” reflects a dual meaning—both renewal, or transformation into something new, and a physical space for making, such as a workshop. This intersection underpins the studio’s model, where production and regeneration are intentionally integrated within a single environment.

Within the studio, recycled plastic sourced from across Egypt is delivered in pelletized form, having already been processed through external recycling channels. These materials originate from a diverse mix of post-consumer and industrial waste, including bottle caps, personal care packaging, food containers, and surplus manufacturing plastics.

Each input contributes distinct qualities, resulting in a varied palette of colours and textures when reconstituted. MAI-T then applies its in-house processes, melting and compressing the pellets into solid sheets. Controlled variations in temperature, pressure, and machine calibration play a critical role in shaping the final material outcome.

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