Ibrahim Alalim

A Kuwaiti oil company has sought an audience with Saudi inventor Ibrahim Alalim to further discuss a plan to plant trees similar to that which a local firm did in Qurais in the Eastern Province.

“I am leaving shortly to meet with officials of the oil company to continue discussions for the possibility of my company, Estefa Group, to plant trees in Kuwait,” Alalim told Arab News.

He and oil company officials earlier held a meeting in Kuwait regarding the plan but they have not yet reached an agreement and postponed the talks.

He said that the oil firm is interested in planting trees because it would help reduce adverse effects of global warming in the area while also creating a good working environment.

If and when the plan materializes, Alalim expects to plant 10,000 trees of different varieties with the use of a super absorbent polymer which he invented.

This polymer, which has received international awards for its success, could absorb water quantities up to 600 times its weight.

Each of the trees will be nurtured with 100 liters of water every two weeks and will be maintained for two years.

Alalim said that the trees to be planted will include saplings of different varieties like cedar, acacia, neem, jatropha and moringa.

Asked if his group had enough saplings, he said that there are nurseries in various parts of the Kingdom as well as in Kuwait for the seedlings. Otherwise, he said, “we’ll rely on other nurseries in the region.”

Aside from the superabsorbent polymer, Alalim has also invented a new biotechnology that breaks down the composition of an animal fat, crude oil, or any petrochemical products.

It involves a liquid extract called Al-Raheef, which is made from vegetables and could be instrumental in products used in cleaning utensils, floors and marble.