Gulf Pack 2009, to be held in Dubai from April 6 to 9, will showcase environmentally sustainable packaging solutions, in line with strong consumer demand for health drinks.

Crown Bevcan, a world leader in beverage packaging, is experiencing strong demand for its slim can format from beverage manufacturers throughout the Middle East as a result of increased consumer demand for energy and health drinks.

The manufacturer is currently focusing on converting some of its production lines in the Middle East from traditional to slim beverage can formats.

Crown Bevcan Europe and Middle East, a business unit of Crown Holdings, will participate in Gulf Pack for the third time next year, where it will highlight its can printing technologies, slim can format and environmental sustainability initiatives.

“As a world leader in beverage packaging, it is natural for us to participate in such an important regionally focused event,” said Caroline Archer-Reed, marketing director, Crown Bevcan Europe & Middle East.
 
The company will also be highlighting the environmental benefits of metal cans as a beverage packaging solution.

“As a company, environmental commitment and pollution prevention are fundamental to our business philosophy. Because metal cans are 100 per cent and infinitely recyclable without a loss of performance, quality or safety, they support sustainable packaging initiatives,” she added.

The Middle East is of key strategic importance to Crown, which currently operates 5 beverage can plants across the Middle East and North Africa. Crown has recently undertaken significant investment in the Middle East to grow production capacity in response to strong growth of both international and local beverage brands throughout the region.

“The Middle East is one of the fastest growing packaging markets in the world with recent suggested growth figures from management consultants IMES forecasting a 15-20 per cent increase in packaging across the UAE, far and beyond the global average of three per cent growth, said Sue Rothwell, Group Event Director, Fairs & Exhibitions, organisers of Gulf Pack and Gulf Print Dubai.

“This regional market growth means that Gulf Pack Dubai is ideally positioned to provide visitors and exhibitors with the opportunity to uncover sales opportunities, network with industry peers and learn about the latest industry developments initiatives.”

Gulf Pack will run in conjunction with Gulf Print at the Dubai Airport Expo Centre. The 2007 edition of the expo attracted over 12.000 visitors and 400 exhibitors from more than 60 countries. Participants reported business benefits of over $150 million last year.-TradeArabia News Service