Star Paper Mill signed two international trade partnerships during Make it in the Emirates 2026 in Abu Dhabi, in the presence of H.E. Dr. Thani bin Ahmed Al Zeyoudi, UAE Minister of Foreign Trade. The agreements were signed with Austria-based Henzel Sales and Sweden-based Ekman & Co. AB to support the company’s recycled paper export and domestic supply operations.
The partnerships are expected to support Star Paper Mill’s target of exporting 68,000 metric tonnes of recycled paper while supplying a similar volume to the UAE market. The agreements were signed in the presence of Austrian Ambassador H.E. Dr. Etienne Berchtold and Swedish Ambassador H.E. Fredrik Florén.
Hussein Adam Ali, Chairman of Star Paper Mill, said: “These partnerships will enable us to reach new markets and consumer segments efficiently reinforcing the UAE’s reputation as a reliable and high-quality exporter of sustainable paper products. These collaborations will further enhance our growth journey, across global and domestic markets.”
Under the agreements, Henzel Sales will support export market expansion into new regions, while Ekman & Co. AB will oversee distribution activities within the UAE market.
Majid Rasheed, Managing Director of Star Paper Mill, said the partnerships support the UAE’s focus on sustainable manufacturing and export growth. He added that the company aims to contribute to the country’s non-oil economy and expanding trade footprint.
The announcement comes as Star Paper Mill advances operations at its AED 200 million recycled containerboard facility in KEZAD. The mill has a production capacity of 135,000 tonnes and spans 59,000 square metres.
The company said demand for biodegradable recycled containerboard used in corrugated cartons and paper bags is growing across the UAE and GCC markets at an estimated annual rate of 10-12%. The UAE paper industry currently includes six recycled containerboard mills with combined annual production of 675,000 metric tonnes