Business & Money | Sunday 30 August, 2015 11:21 am |

According to the ‘Future of Digital Print for Packaging to 2020’ global report, digital packaging and label printing is valued at $10.5 billion in 2015, the equivalent of some 107 billion A4 prints.  

 

It is estimated that the UAE commands over 600 million A4 prints of the digital packaging and label printing industry (worth $59 million in 2015) that is consumed domestically or traded to other parts of the Middle East, North Africa and other parts of Asia as highlighted by the organizers of Paper Arabia 2015, MENA’s premier specialized event for the paper industry, which will be held at the Dubai International Exhibition Centre on 14-16 September 2015. The organizers also announced that Saudi Paper Group (SPG) is the main sponsor of the event. 

 

Lamyae Zafati, Exhibition Manager, Al Fajer Information and Services, organizers of Paper Arabia 2015 said: “Paper Arabia 2015 will feature 100 companies from 45 countries in its eighth edition. These positive signs indicate that the paper industry is seeing remarkable growth in terms of production, export of machinery, import of products and total investments.” 

 

Paper Packaging sales in the UAE are expected to continue to show strong growth as both increased consumption and demand for recycled products drives the need for more paper packaging. 

 

Zafati added: “The sector includes five main types of packaging. Paper and board (including paper bags and cartons) is the largest consumer packaging category with a 34% share of the total packaging market globally.”

 

“Paper Arabia 2015 will be a key platform for traders and industry players to interact. The show’s participants include leading global names from the paper, tissue, packaging and converting sectors,” added Zafati. “The paper, tissue and converting industries will be displaying latest technologies at the show. A wide array of machinery products targeting paper mills will also be displayed, along with a range of household paper for end users.”

 

Paper Arabia serves as a launching pad for new technologies targeted at the Middle East region. The show will work to promote technique improvement and economic development of the industry, and to accelerate the modernization drive in this fast growing industry. 

 

 

Paper Arabia has brought in its previous edition corrugated and carton industries on board due to the growing importance of these two dynamic sectors in the UAE and the Arab world. 

 

Highlighting the importance of Paper Arabia for the paper and pulp segment, Zafati added: “Paper is replacing glass and plastics in packaging consumables products. This reflects the potential that the paper industry holds for 

 

 

 

 

the region as it serves as an alternative to other packaging options, including rigid plastics, flexible plastics, metal, glass and others for lower environmental impact, as well as the recycling trend that is gaining momentum in the Middle East, especially in the UAE.”

 

Key industry players will be showcasing their latest products and solutions for the entire production chain, from pulp to manufacturing, distribution, wholesales/retailing, trading and marketing products in the three day show.  

 

Paper Arabia 2015 comes at a time the paper industry is registering spectacular growth with several production centers and paper converting businesses flourishing. 

 

Zafati added: “The show in its eighth edition attracts elite players from the paper, tissue and converting industry. It offers opportunities for manufacturers, suppliers and traders of finished products, equipment, machinery, paper chemicals, services, supplies of paper, tissue and converting sector to access the Middle East, North Africa as well as Asian markets.” 

 

Paper Arabia 2015 will place special emphasis on hygiene and disposable products, reflected in the demand for various products such as wet wipes, baby diapers and sanitary napkins. 

 

Zafati concluded: “Manufacturers, converters, distributors, traders and decision makers from all over the world are expected to visit Paper Arabia to grow business and share expertise.”