Mid East food producers embracing modern packaging techniques

"These techniques are also helping producers become more competitive," explained Stathis Tzeilanoglou, Export Sales Director of Athens-based Thrace Plastics Packaging.

"As far as food packaging is concerned there has been great progress in the Middle East," said Tzeilanoglou. "Producers want to make their packed products more convenient. There is, however, still a challenge of achieving practical packaging in the region at a low cost.

"One reason behind the trend is that consumers in the region now expect to get the same standard of presentation and packaging as they would in Europe."

Thrace, which makes eco-friendly buckets and cups for dairy products, the food, chemical and paint industries, has recently clinched three key contracts from food and dairy producers in Saudi Arabia.

"We are now going to expand the range we make available to the market and will launch smaller-sized packaging at the PackTech International show in Dubai this month," said Tzeilanoglou.

Thrace is the first Greek company ever to participate in PackTech International. The show, which runs at the Dubai International Exhibition Centre from January 12-15, also for the first time, features exhibitors from Armenia and Malta.

"Exhibitors from 16 countries will take part in the show which will be a a technology window to the future of the Middle East's food processing and consumer durable industries," said Sharla Hancock, Project Manager, PackTech International, which is organised by Fairs & Exhibitions.

Running alongside PackTech International will be a sister show - PrinTech/PubliTech, designed to service the region's growing printing and publishing sectors. This sister show, which boasts exhibitors from the Far East and Middle East, will feature a dedicated Iranian printing industry pavilion.

A biennial event, PackTech International is backed by the UK-headquartered Confederation of Organisers of Packaging Exhibitions (COPE).

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