Emirates Biotech and UAEU Partner to Strengthen PLA Innovation

    Emirates Biotech has entered into a research collaboration with the United Arab Emirates University (UAEU) to advance the development of Polylactic Acid (PLA), a bio-based, biodegradable polymer with growing relevance to the packaging industry in the Middle East and Africa.     The initiative will focus on enhancing the performance and environmental viability …

UFlex Launches FSSAI-Approved rPET Pellet for Food Packaging

    UFlex, a major flexible packaging manufacturer, has introduced a new single-pellet resin that blends recycled PET with virgin PET for direct use in food and beverage packaging. The innovation meets India’s new food safety and sustainability regulations and could significantly ease the transition to recycled content for FMCG brands across the MEA region. …

Carrefour, Coca-Cola, and Sparklo Partner to Boost Bottle Recycling Across UAE Stores

    In a joint effort to strengthen plastic collection and recycling infrastructure in the UAE, Majid Al Futtaim has partnered with Coca-Cola Middle East and local cleantech company Sparklo to expand Carrefour’s Reverse Vending Machine (RVM) programme.     The initiative, active since July 2023, installs smart recycling machines—developed by Sparklo—across major Carrefour locations. …

Chemical Recycling Faces Long Road to Cost Parity with Virgin Plastics

      Chemical recycling of polyolefins must hit 650 million metric tons in cumulative global volume to match the cost of producing virgin plastics, according to a new Bain & Company report. The findings have direct implications for the packaging sector across the Middle East and Africa (MEA), where rising plastic use and mounting …

TITAN Egypt Joins Waste Recycling Alliance to Advance Sustainable Packaging and Construction

    TITAN Egypt has partnered with Beni-Suef University as an industrial member of the new “Green Recycling Innovation and Sustainable Development” Alliance, a project focused on transforming how Egypt handles construction, agricultural, and packaging waste. The alliance is part of the presidential initiative “Alliance & Development – Northern Upper Egypt,” with a strong focus …

Refill Retail Model Targets Packaging Waste Reduction

    A new refill retail concept, Skubu, launched in Diepsloot, Johannesburg, is drawing attention across the packaging sector as a scalable solution to reduce single-use plastic packaging in retail. Developed by Sonke (Pty) Ltd. in partnership with South Africa’s Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) and the Department of Science, Technology, and Innovation …

Craemer Launches Fully Recyclable Heavy-Duty Pallet for Sustainable Logistics in MEA

    Craemer Group has introduced the E3-5 Zero Virgin, a heavy-duty industrial pallet made entirely from recycled polyethylene (PE), aimed at industries seeking to reduce material waste without compromising performance. This new version of the E3-5 pallet series offers a fully recyclable, long-life load carrier built for demanding logistics operations — including those in …

CCL Label Unveils Circular Packaging Technologies for MEA Beverage Market at Drinktec 2025

      At Drinktec 2025 in Munich, CCL Label is spotlighting a suite of functional packaging solutions designed to support recycling, reuse, and lower emissions—critical issues for beverage producers across the Middle East and Africa (MEA).     One of the standout technologies is EcoShear®, a new adhesive for single-use glass bottles. Unlike traditional …

Ethiopia Bans Single-Use Plastic Bags in Nationwide Crackdown on Pollution

  Ethiopia has officially implemented a nationwide ban on the manufacture, import, and distribution of single-use plastic bags. The legislation, passed by the country’s House of Peoples’ Representatives (HoPR), aims to combat the escalating environmental damage caused by plastic pollution, particularly in urban and agricultural areas. Under the new law, individuals caught using or distributing …

Amcor Delivers 16% Plastic Reduction in Bulldog Tube Packaging

Packaging supplier Amcor has achieved a 16.67% reduction in plastic used in the flexible tubes it supplies to skincare brand Bulldog. The redesign is expected to cut approximately 8.5 metric tonnes of plastic per year. The reduction comes from slimming down the wall thickness of the 50mm diameter tube sleeves used in Bulldog’s 100ml and …