At a time when environmental challenges are growing and the need for innovative solutions is becoming more urgent, young Omanis continue to prove that creativity can be a powerful tool for positive change. Among these inspiring examples stands “Midad”, an Omani idea born from a simple everyday observation, which evolved into a national initiative dedicated to sustainability and green innovation.
The story of Midad began with a simple moment of reflection in a university café, when a group of students noticed the large amount of coffee waste thrown away daily without being used. This ordinary scene sparked an inspiring environmental question: Could this waste be turned into something valuable? From that point, the idea emerged to create eco-friendly ink from coffee waste, combining environmental innovation with practical thinking, while reducing the environmental impact of everyday waste.
Midad started as a university research project that aimed to explore the possibility of extracting natural pigments from used coffee grounds and transforming them into usable ink. After successful initial experiments, the team managed to develop a prototype, marking the first step towards turning their research into a tangible initiative.
Later, they participated in several innovation and entrepreneurship competitions, including the Eureka Competition in Dubai, where they won the Best Sustainable Product Award, an achievement that boosted their confidence and encouraged them to continue developing their idea. The award was not only recognition of their scientific effort, but also proof that young Omanis can provide practical solutions to modern environmental issues.
The ink produced by Midad is made from natural ingredients extracted from coffee waste, with safe organic additives that help maintain colour stability and quality.
In terms of performance, the ink has shown excellent consistency and durability, while being free from the harmful chemicals typically found in commercial inks. This makes it both environmentally friendly and safe for human use. Through this innovative approach, coffee transforms from a simple beverage into a valuable raw material contributing to a more sustainable economy.
Currently, the team is focusing on developing black printer ink made from coffee waste, working to improve its quality and make it ready for commercial use.
However, their ambition extends beyond that. In the future, they aim to expand production to include other colours of organic ink and eventually to design and produce eco-friendly pens carrying the Midad identity, completing their vision of creating a range of sustainable, coffee-based products.
Recognising the importance of economic sustainability, the Midad team is working on enhancing production efficiency and reducing costs without compromising quality.
They are also building partnerships with local cafés to secure a continuous and almost cost-free supply of raw materials — used coffee grounds — thereby lowering manufacturing expenses. Their goal is clear: to make sustainable ink an affordable and accessible product, not just a niche eco-friendly alternative.
Midad believes that sustainability is not just an environmental concept but a mindset and a way of life. Through their journey, they inspire Omani youth to view waste as an opportunity rather than a burden. When young people realise they can turn waste into valuable resources, they gain a sense of responsibility, innovation and empowerment, which lies at the heart of true sustainability.
The founders of Midad aspire to transform their initiative into the first Omani company specialised in sustainable organic inks.
“Our dream is for Midad to become a symbol of Omani environmental creativity to prove that green solutions can start as a student idea and grow to make a real difference”, the team says. With their ongoing research, development and expanding production plans, this dream is becoming closer to reality every day.
In the end, Midad is more than an environmental initiative, it’s a story of awareness, transformation and youthful innovation. It reminds us that big change can begin with a small idea, one that was once born in a university café and today writes, quite literally, a new chapter of Omani sustainable creativity.
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