BE PART OF THE MATERIAL REVOLUTION
Innovation Rooted in Nature. Designed for the Future.
Developing Next-Generation Biosourced Materials
Barraket is a R&D company focused on developing next-generation biosourced materials from plant resources adapted to arid territories, particularly prickly pear cactus. Barraket works with European research labs and industrial partners to turn concepts into credible, scalable materials. Its approach combines structured R&D, regenerative thinking (resource, territory, circularity) and strategic focus on a few high-impact applications where new materials can genuinely move the needle for industry.
Barraket aims to develop a range of plant-based materials and ingredients sourced from the prickly pear cactus, serving multiple high value-added strategic sectors.
Biomaterials & Strategy
One of our core strategic foundations is to develop a range of functional materials and derivatives derived from the prickly pear cactus, suitable for applications across biomaterials, cosmetics, pharmaceuticals, nutraceuticals, industrial materials, and beyond.
Regenerative Culture
Through this project, Barraket aims to establish this natural resource as a prime solution for applications where technical performance must be combined with traceability, sustainability, and innovation.
The Mind Behind The Vision
Alya Khiari is the founder of Barraket, an R&D venture specializing in bio-based materials with a particular focus on the potential of the prickly pear cactus. She leads both the strategic and operational development of the project, coordinating efforts between laboratories, technical partners, and future users of the material.
After completing a five-year business program at ISG, she pursued a specialized master’s degree jointly delivered by the Institut Français de la Mode, IAE Lille, and ENSAIT (the National School of Arts and Textile Industries). This training — positioned at the intersection of management, innovation, and materials — allows her to bridge business vision, industrial constraints, and product development challenges.
Combining technical and strategic expertise with strong human qualities, she positions Barraket at the forefront of key issues for the coming years: moving beyond fossil-based materials, advancing circularity, valorizing resources from arid regions, and integrating environmental impact criteria into product decisions.
The Name BARRAKET
Reflects this identity: “bar” for _Figuier de Barbarie_ french plant name, “raket” for the part used, and a nod to baraka, meaning “blessing” in Arabic — as well as a tribute to her mother’s name.