GCC plastics packaging industry registered a 15-20 per cent growth in first three quarters of 2010, in sharp contrast to the plastics industry in construction that suffered reverses, said an expert.

Mohammad Nofal, general manager, Duplas Al Sharq, a subsidiary of Emirates Investment & Development (Emivest), said plastics for construction purposes is the only sector that was affected by the global crunch where the packaging plastics industry showed a positive growth in 2010.

Duplas will participate in ArabPlast Exhibition, the leading trade show for rubber, plastics and plastic processing, from January 8 to 11, 2011, at the Dubai International Exhibition Centre, he added.

“2011 present both opportunity and challenge. This phase will offer room to grow and expand our product portfolio and reach. The local market itself holds immense potential for us as we see rising demand for plastic products and we have plans to invest heavily in infrastructure and production facilities,” Nofal said.

Duplas is engaged in the manufacture of high quality plastic PE, PET, PP and PC bottles and closures ranging from 200 ml up to 25 litres, catering to the increasing packaging demands for lubricant, detergent, shampoo, chemical, edible oil, dairy, juice and water industries in the UAE and international markets.

Nofal added: “We cater to a number of industry verticals, locally and abroad. Predominantly we service LUBE oil companies such as ENOC, SHELL, TOTAL and ELF. We also supply to local and international brands in the home care, personal care, food applications and beverages industry such as Reckitt Benckiser (Dettol, Harpic, Vanish) and Al Rawabi.”

A record number of companies are participating in ArabPlast 2011, a reflection on the growing importance attached by GCC countries to strengthening their manufacturing industries, including plastics and rubber sector, which are known to be more sustainable investments in the long run.

“We source raw materials from veteran suppliers within the Gulf region and outside. We primarily procure materials from Borouge in Abu Dhabi and SABIC from Saudi Arabia.

Specific products like Polycarbonate and PET are sourced from our suppliers in Europe and South Asia respectively. Our customer network is equally extensive as we supply our products to the entire Gulf region, Syria, East Africa and Pakistan,” Nofal added.

Duplas Al Sharq has major expansion plans on the cards for the next three years, Nofal said.

By 2011, the company will increase its production capacity by 20 percent with a further capacity thrust of 30 percent by 2012. Currently, it has a single production facility in the Jebel Ali Industrial zone in Dubai but there are plans to expand manufacturing premises and add new machinery and stores space to the existing structure.

Nofal added: “We also plan to penetrate in the local and regional markets as there is still considerable growth and demand for plastic products. 2011 offers an opportunity to grow and expand our product portfolio and reach. The local market itself holds immense potential for us as we see growing demand for plastic products. It will be the right time to invest and introduce new technology and machinery.”

Duplas is participating in ArabPlast 2011 for the third time at a time the show is bigger and better in terms of exhibitors, product showcasing and regional influx.

Nofal concluded: “We intend to exhibit our products, remain updated on the current market trends and demographics and build a network of prospective customers and suppliers at the show.” – TradeArabia News Service