Report Overview

Growing demand from various industries such as food and beverage, pharmaceuticals, and personal care, increasing preference for plastic packaging due to its durability, and versatility could boost the growth of UAE plastic packaging market during the forecast period between 2023 and 2029.

UAE Plastic Packaging Market – Industry Trends & Forecast Report, 2029

The UAE plastic packaging market size is projected to grow at a significant CAGR of 5.22% by 2029. Major growth drivers of UAE plastic packaging market include a rising demand for plastic packaging in end-use industries, such as food & beverages, cosmetics & personal care, and pharmaceuticals. The flexible plastic packaging market is expected to grow owing to an increase in modern retailing, rising consumer affluence, and acceleration of e-commerce activities, particularly in countries, including the UAE.

UAE Plastic Packaging Market - Overview

Plastic packaging is both rigid and flexible, lightweight, and transparent, which is why key industries such as food & beverages, household & personal care, and industrial goods, prefer it over alternatives like glass or metal. Also, engineered plastic is resistant to extreme environmental conditions and does not degrade in high temperatures, preserving the integrity of products such as cosmetics and food and beverages. The low cost and excellent printability of plastic make it a profitable packaging material.

Growth Drivers

Benefits of Plastic Packaging

Because of hectic lifestyles, there is an increased demand for convenient products, which has increased demand for flexible packs. Flexible plastic packaging requires fewer resources and energy to the packaging. Therefore, flexible packs are less expensive and take up 35% less retail shelf space than other types of packaging, making them more cost-effective. Plastic packaging reduces product waste while increasing shelf life. Bananas wrapped in flexible plastic packaging, for example, ripen more slowly, extending shelf life. This type of packing can be done with as little packaging as possible, lowering warehousing and transportation costs while maintaining or improving product protection.

Restraints

Rising Demand for Alternative Packaging

Consumers are increasingly favoring alternative packaging materials that are better for the environment. Due to their great recyclability and environmental benefits, aluminum and glass are widely accepted. People are consequently becoming more skeptical of plastic. Also, the adoption of biodegradable materials rather than plastic is being encouraged by greater consumer awareness of superior health and bio-based packaging materials. The expansion of the UAE plastic packaging market is expected to be constrained by this during the forecast period.

Impact of COVID-19 on the UAE Plastic Packaging Market

Plastic packaging market growth in the UAE suffered owing to the COVID-19 pandemic outbreak. The primary reason for the decline in the UAE plastic packaging market was the closure of industrial facilities by lockdowns imposed by the government. People were purchasing items out of fear of a lockdown, which caused panic buying and large-scale stockpiling of essential goods and deliverables. Bulk orders for anything from staple meals to fresh foods are placed using online portals. The same was distributed by several vendors and was packaged in plastic. To ensure a seamless movement of goods between diverse sites both inside and outside of their country, the government undertook measures extensively.

UAE Plastic Packaging Market

Segmental Coverage

UAE Plastic Packaging Market - By Type of Plastic

On the basis of type of plastic, the UAE plastic packaging market is divided into Polyethylene (PE), Polypropylene (PP), Polyethylene Terephthalate (PET), Polyvinyl Chloride (PVC), Polystyrene (PS), and other (including bioplastics) segments. Polyethylene and polypropylene (PP) are the most common types of plastic due to rising demand from packaging and automotive end-users. Polymers are used by many companies for product packaging, as they are durable and act as a barrier between the product and moisture. In the automotive industry, utilization is increasing as manufacturers reduce vehicle weight to improve fuel economy and reduce carbon emissions.

UAE Plastic Packaging Market - By Technology

On the basis of technology, UAE plastic packaging market is divided into Injection Molding, Blow Molding, Thermoforming, Extrusion, and other segments. Among them, extrusion technology, which manufactures the bulk of flexible packaging items like bags, pouches, and films, holds the highest market share. In the coming years, it is expected that demand for the extrusion segment would increase due to the rising popularity of flexible packaging products due to their higher sustainability and cheaper cost than their rigid equivalents.

UAE Plastic Packaging Market – By Packaging Type

By packaging type, the UAE plastic packaging market is segmented into Rigid Packaging, Flexible Packaging, and others. Due to its high visual appeal and durability, the rigid plastic segment dominates the plastic packaging market. Also, rigid packaging's high barrier to oxygen, moisture, and light contributes to the segment's greater market share. The expansion of rigid plastic products is probably favored by the reusability of rigid packaging products including intermediate bulk containers, pallets, and other industrial packaging products.

UAE Plastic Packaging Market – By End-Use Industry

On basis of the end-use industry, the UAE plastic packaging market is divided into Food & Beverages, Healthcare & Pharmaceuticals, Personal Care & Beauty, Household & Industrial Chemicals, Retail & Consumer Goods, and other segments (including Automotive, Electronics, and Construction). Among them, the food & beverages application segment holds a majority of the market share. During the projection period, the segment is expected to experience a significant increase. The packaging and processed food manufacturing industries have expanded owing to shifting consumer lifestyles and dietary tastes, which are projected to increase demand for plastic packaging. Also, rising alcoholic and nonalcoholic beverage consumption, particularly among young people, is expected to boost the market expansion.

Competitive Landscape

Major players in the UAE plastic packaging market include ALPLA Dubai LLC, Borouge Pte Ltd, Clariant Plastics & Coatings UAE LLC, Dow Middle East and Africa, GEPackagingStore, Gulf East Paper & Plastic Industries LLC, Interplast Co. Ltd, Jumbo Plastic Industry LLC, Midad Plastic Factory, SABIC, and Taghleef Industries LLC. The key strategies used by these market leaders are new product launches, mergers & acquisitions, and alliances. To grow their market share, these companies are also focusing on investing in innovations, collaborations, and expansions.

Recent Developments

• In March 2022 - The ALPLA Group acquired the recycling company Texplast from the FROMM Group and all its shares in the joint venture, PET Recycling Team Wolfen. The international company will increase its annual processing volume in Germany to 75,000 tons of PET bottles.

Scope of the Report

By Type of Plastic

• • Polyethylene (PE)
  • Polypropylene (PP)
  • Polyethylene Terephthalate (PET)
  • Polyvinyl Chloride (PVC)
  • Polystyrene (PS)
  • Others (including Bioplastics)

By Technology

• • Injection Molding
  • Blow Molding
  • Thermoforming
  • Extrusion
  • Others

By Packaging Type

• • Rigid Packaging
  • Flexible Packaging
  • Others

By End-Use Industry

• • Food & Beverages
  • Healthcare & Pharmaceuticals
  • Personal Care & Beauty
  • Household & Industrial Chemicals
  • Retail & Consumer Goods
  • Others (including Automotive, Electronics, Construction)