Bridging the Gulf

25 March 2009



The Arab world is potentially one of the most lucrative markets, but gaining entry can be difficult. Gulf Pack could be a potential door-opener for this region.


Gulf Pack, taking place in Dubai from 6–9 April, is colocated with its sister event Gulf Print. The organiser, Fairs & Exhibitions, claims that 12,000 delegates attended the previous edition, which took place two years ago. According to research from Pira International, the middle-east print and pack industry was worth $5.3bn (£3.7bn) in 2007, and it is predicted that this will rise to $7.6bn (£5.3bn), by 2012, equating to growth of 45 per cent. Packaging constitutes 42 per cent of this market, representing a potential market of $3.1bn (£2.2bn) by 2010.

It is claimed that other developments will further stimulate the market, such as the completion of the Dubai Logistics City, which is part of the Dubai World Central at Jebel Ali Airport. This will position Dubai at the heart of the middle-east logistics network, potentially resulting in additional repackaging and labelling operations.

Gulf Pack is a regional show, with its marketing push reaching out from North Africa through Egypt, Turkey and the UAE to Pakistan. A four-day Thought Leadership conference will also take place alongside the exhibition, which is free to delegates. This will cover new technology and business practices within the middle-east.

Launches to the region

Plastic packaging company RPC Bramlage-Wiko will focus on its new Magic Star airless dispensing system, designed to offer consistent function and a novel appearance. It will also highlight its new thick-walled crème jar design. RPC will also highlight the Gizmo pressurised device, incorporated into the closure of a container, which instantly releases and mixes active ingredients at the point of use.

Synchrosys will exhibit its new robotic volumetric feeder, featuring a modular design and a standard configuration from 8–12 lanes. The company claims that the system can achieve ten cycles per minute, resulting in an output of ten slugs per lane and per minute.

It is claimed that the slugs are smoothly deposited in contact with the bottom of the in-feed chain to the wrapping machine. This eliminates the typical jump within traditional feeders, and is said to negate product damage. If required, it can also rotate slugs by 90° prior to positioning them onto the flow-pack chain. Synchrosys claims that the system can achieve a maximum wrapping material speed of 40m/min, using reels with widths of 400mm and 700mm.

Crown Bevcan Europe & Middle East will highlight its two-piece slim and traditional aluminum beverage cans, print techniques, range of novel ink finishes and SuperEnd beverage ends. The print technology is designed to reproduce and enhance detailed images, such as faces, fruit and fine text on beverage cans. Another focus will be Crown’s expanded range of ink finishes, which expand the branding possibilities on beverage products. The range of special inks includes colour change, tactile, soft touch, matt, thermochromic, pearlescent, UV light and glow-in-the-dark. The company will also showcase its SuperEnd beverage ends, claimed to use 10 per cent less metal than standard ends.

Operating out of offices in Dubai and Jeddah, Dunes is a specialised below-the-line packaging design and branding agency. Clive Howard, General Manager, has commented that manufacturers are seeking local solutions to meet specific demands from the local market.  He commented: “The product here is as good as that available in Europe and the USA, both creatively and technically. Furthermore, the middle-east offers distinct advantages in terms of similarity of language, working week and geographic proximity. As the middle- east packaging market develops, we will increasingly see companies who would have traditionally had their requirements met in Europe or the USA seeking localised packaging that is developed in the region.” Dunes’ customer portfolio includes Nestlé, Pepsi, and Almarai. He added: “Regional FMCG companies are looking to upgrade the quality and sophistication of their packaging, leading to increased demand for specialised, world-class packaging services.”


The RPC Gizmo pressurised device, incorporated into the container closure, instantly releases and mixes active ingredients at the point of use The latest pack concepts for the region will be displayed Crown's SuperEnd beverage ends are claimed to contain 10 per cent less metal than the standard equivalent

The RPC Gizmo pressurised device, incorporated into the container closure, instantly releases and mixes active ingredients at the point of use The RPC Gizmo pressurised device, incorporated into the container closure, instantly releases and mixes active ingredients at the point of use
The latest pack concepts for the region will be displayed The latest pack concepts for the region will be displayed
Crown's SuperEnd beverage ends are claimed to contain 10 per cent less metal than the standard equivalent Crown's SuperEnd beverage ends are claimed to contain 10 per cent less metal than the standard equivalent


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