6-7% growth in UAE packaging paper/board industry

Asia Pulp & Paper (APP), one of the world's leading pulp and paper companies and the largest vertically integrated pulp and paper producer in Asia, excluding Japan, said that the growth in packaging paper/board in the UAE is about 6-7% annually. 

Asia Pulp & Paper made the announcement while announcing the company’s sponsorship of the 4^th Paper Arabia show 2011, the biggest paper show in the MENA region to be held at the Dubai International Exhibition Centre from September 18 to 20 2011. 

Satish Khanna, General Manager, Al Fajer Information and Services, organizers of the show, said: “We are pleased to have APP as one of the sponsors of the show. The combined pulp, paper and packaging capacities in Indonesia amount to over 7 million tonnes, using fiber from plantations and wood residues of plantation development. APP currently has its principal operations in Indonesia, and markets its products to more than 65 countries on six continents, including Dubai. Paper Arabia is becoming a key exhibition for any company in the paper industry.” 

Anil Sharma, G.M. Product Entrepreneur Department, APP said: “Over the years, APP has expanded its operations significantly, through acquisitions and expansions in several of its pulp and paper mills. It is APP's commitment to customer satisfaction that enables the company to grow its share in paper sales worldwide and broaden its presence through marketing offices in many countries.” 

Sharma said that in packaging grades, the company has developed products like Savvibrite, Savvicoat, X-cote, Foodgrade packaging Paper/ Board and cup stock base. These products have already been launched and have been very well accepted in the Middle East market. Savvibrite is two sided coated premium packaging board that is excellent for graphical and packaging segment. While Savvicoat is a one-side premium coated board with high folding that makes it a top over coated board for luxury and pharmaceutical packaging. 

Suneet Sood, G.M. App Dubai, said that APP will showcase products from its latest state of art mill “JINHAI HAINAN Pulp and paper” mill at Paper Arabia.  The 4 Layer Coated Premium Product – HI KOTE, which has already launched in the Middle East Market from this mill would be the center of attraction for the visitors. 

Over the past few years, APP has developed various food grade coated / uncoated paper and board with barrier coating. This quality of barrier coating that is environment friendly and recyclable makes the paper board suitable for direct food contact without using PE extrusion or PE lamination. 

Khanna added: “This specialized show will highlight to key international players the importance of being a part of the region’s booming paper industry. The paper, tissue and converting industries will be displaying latest technologies at the three day show. This is the only such show in the Middle East that is really making rapid strides year after year. It offers opportunities to the manufacturers and suppliers of finished products, equipment, machinery, paper chemicals, services, supplies of paper, tissue and converting sector to access the Middle East and North African markets.” 

The paper industry has been registering spectacular growth with several production centers and paper converting businesses flourishing. 

The show will place special emphasis on hygiene and disposable products, in view of the surge in demand for various products like wet wipes, baby diapers and sanitary napkins. 

Elite players from the paper, tissue and converting industry are participating in Paper Arabia 2011 because they believe that it offer opportunities to the manufacturers and suppliers of finished products, equipment, machinery, paper chemicals, services, supplies of paper, tissue and converting sector to access the Middle East and North African markets.