In food packaging, safety and performance depend not only on the substrate, but on the thin functional layers of inks, coatings and adhesives. As regulatory requirements tighten and hot-climate logistics increase migration risk in the GCC and wider MENA region, converters and brand owners are focusing more closely on process control, final-pack validation and …
Flexo Rising: The new strategic engine of packaging in MEA and South Asia
Across MEA and Asia, flexographic printing is evolving from a cost-led alternative into an automation-driven growth engine, strengthening regional competitiveness through scale, sustainability, and intelligent manufacturing systems.By Suhas Kulkarni, Independent Flexo Evangelist There was a time when flexographic printing in our part of the world was spoken about cautiously — almost defensively. It was seen …
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2026 and Beyond: The UAE’s Single-Use Plastics Ban and the Reset of Packaging Supply Chains.
Laetitia Magentie, Board Member of the Circular Packaging Association and Director of Sustainability at Majid Al Futtaim, shares her perspectives with Ben Daniel, Chief Editor of Packaging MEA, on the significance of the UAE’s single-use plastics ban and the practical pathways shaping circularity in packaging across the region. Ben Daniel: To …
UAE’s 2026 single-use plastics ban reshapes packaging supply chains and market access
As of 1 January 2026, the UAE’s single-use plastics ban is fully in force. Introduced under Ministerial Decision No. 380 of 2022 and phased in from 2024 onwards, the regulation now applies nationwide. The prohibited list includes: • Plastic shopping bags below 50 microns • Beverage cups and lids • Cutlery (forks, …
Flexo. Digital. Hybrid. How integrated workflows are rewriting label production across MEA and beyond
Hybrid print technology — combining digital and conventional workflows — is gaining traction among converters across MEA. As SKU complexity grows and brands push for speed, flexibility, and premium finishes, hybrid presses are emerging as the most commercially balanced solution. I’ve seen firsthand why hybrid printing is becoming a strategic priority across the Middle East …
Gravure reimagined: GRA International Gravure Days 2025 marks a global turning point for the industry
Reporting from Istanbul, Ben Daniel, Editor of Packaging MEA and MEA Chapter Ambassador of the Global Rotogravure Association (GRA), examines how International Gravure Days 2025 marked a turning point for the industry, as gravure adopted a global identity aligned with sustainability, digitalisation, and emerging market growth. When the gravure community gathered in Istanbul from 20–22 …
From Local Solutions to Global Standards: A Conversation with WPO’s President
In this edition of Packaging Middle East & Africa’s flagship Big Interview, we sit down with Luciana Pellegrino, the newly appointed President of the World Packaging Organization (WPO). From driving sustainability to shaping packaging education across continents, Luciana is spearheading global change in an industry that’s transforming at warp speed. In an …
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Global FMCG brands deliver innovations as 2025 sustainability goals arrive
Sustainable Packaging Innovations: 2025 and Beyond With 2025 global sustainability deadlines officially underway, leading food and beverage companies are advancing beyond pledges and into packaging innovation. From paper wrappers to refillable formats and recycled plastics, brands are experimenting with diverse solutions to move towards a circular economy. Paper-Based Transitions Paper is emerging as a viable …
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Innovation Runs on People: Inside IPP’s Culture of Relentless Commitment
Gen Alpha Technology is redefining gravure printing for flexible packaging, delivering unmatched precision, color accuracy, and consistency. Integrated Plastics Packaging (IPP) leverages this innovation to enhance branding and sustainability across the food, pharmaceutical, and FMCG sectors. In the ever-evolving world of packaging and printing, innovation is essential—but it doesn’t thrive in isolation. …
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Fedrigoni Showcases New Luxury Packaging Papers in Dubai, Expands IMEA Footprint
At a high-profile event in Dubai, Fedrigoni and its regional partner Orchid Gulf FZ LLC unveiled a portfolio of newly developed premium paper substrates—targeted squarely at the luxury packaging sector. Ben Daniel, Chief Editor of Packaging MEA, reports. Fedrigoni, the Italian-based global leader in premium paper solutions, unveiled its latest collection of high-end packaging substrates …
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