Demand for disposal plastics packaging on the rise, says Duplas as it gears to participate in Arabplast 2013

Eng. Mohammad Nofal - General Manager, Duplas Al Sharq said: "These sectors are growing rapidly, driven by demand that rose by over 25 percent this year, compared to the corresponding period in 2010."

Duplas Al Sharq L.L.C, a subsidiary of Emirates Investment & Development (Emivest), in which Dubai Government holds 30 per cent stake, will be participating at Arabplast 2013, the regions's largest trade show for plastics, rubber and petrochemicals which will be held from January 07 to 10, 2013, at the Dubai International Exhibition Centre.

Nofal cautioned that factors such as price, market stability and a general sense of confidence would be critical in determining the growth of the plastics industry in the UAE and entire Gulf region.

He said:"I believe resin price stability and reliability of cash flows in the supply chain will be major factors impacting operations in the Middle East and regional markets. However, overall confidence in the region is equally important as stability in the market is partially generated by buyers and consumers feeling that the market holds potential and the industries still have a lot to offer," Mr. Nofal explains.

Satish Khanna, General Manager, Al Fajer Information and Services, co-organiser of Arabplast said: "We are pleased that companies like Duplas see Arabplast as an ideal platform to boost their business and operations. Arabplast 2013 will be 34 percent bigger than the 2011 edition, following record number of exhibitors and sponsors. Major sponsors for Arabplast 2013 include QAPCO, BOROUGE, PETRORABIGH and TASNEE."

Khanna added: "The growth of this show reflects the high global demand for plastics The Gulf is the export hub of plastics raw material plastics to the world, thanks to companies like Duplas which are making this industry a key player in GCC economies".

A record number of companies from 47 countries are participating in Arabplast 2013, a reflection on the growing importance attached by GCC countries to strengthening their manufacturing industries, including plastics and rubber sector, which are known to be more sustainable investments in the long run.

On display at ArabPlast 2013 will be new products and technologies in injection moulding, blow molding, wrapping and packaging, pre and post plastic processing techniques as well as raw materials, such as masterbatches, additives and polymers. The show covers a wide spectrum of plastic machinery, plastic/rubber processing technology, pre and post-processing systems, plastic packaging technology, injection moulding, blow moulding, wrapping technology, extrusions, chemicals and additives, semi finished goods, engineering plastics and plastic products.

According to Duplas, GCC plastics packaging industry registered a 20 percent growth in first three quarters of 2012. The company sources raw materials from leading suppliers within the Gulf region and outside, including Borouge in Abu Dhabi and SABIC from Saudi Arabia. Specific products like Polycarbonate and PET are sourced from our suppliers in Europe and South Asia respectively.

Nofal added:"The plastics market in the UAE is huge and very critical to our business. There is a rising demand for plastic products and we are balancing out this matching supply to demand."

Nofal added: "Duplas is eyeing regional markets as there is considerable demand for plastic products in the Gulf. This doesn't mean we will be distracted from the UAE market which is our key revenue driver."

Duplas is engaged in the manufacture of high quality plastic PE, PET, PP and PC bottles and closures ranging from 200 ml up to 25 litres, catering to the increasing packaging demands for lubricant, detergent, shampoo, chemical, edible oil, dairy, juice and water industries in the UAE and international markets.

Duplas serves LUBE oil companies such as ENOC, SHELL, TOTAL and ELF. It also supplies local and international brands in the home care, personal care, food applications and beverages industries.

Nofal added: "Our participation at Arabplast aims will help us showcase our new products and new segments (multilayer bottles for Shampoo), and interact with existing and potential customers as well as industry leaders."