Investments in greenfield paper projects in UAE, Saudi on the rise

Investments in greenfield paper projects in UAE, Saudi on the rise

Investments are on the rise in greenfield paper manufacturing projects and expansion of existing facilities in the UAE and Saudi Arabia with demand growing in the markets of Middle East and Africa.

Investments and expansions in the paper industry in the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries crossed $1.6 billion in the past two years in tandem with growing consumer demand for paper products, particularly packaging and hygiene.

“The paper products market in the GCC is poised to touch $28.72 billion in the next five years, growing at a CAGR of 3.28 percent,” said Nadhal Mohamed, General Manager, Al Fajer Information & Services, quoting a study by research entity Mordor Intelligence.

“The paper industry in the Middle East has evolved over the years and it is now one of the world’s fastest growing markets. The Covid pandemic had brought in disruptions and production bottlenecks throwing in unprecedented challenges for paper mills across the world, but it also helped mushroom new opportunities in paper packaging and paper disposables, further fuelled by an e-commerce boom,” he said while announcing the relaunch of Paper Arabia, the international exhibition on paper, tissue, paperboard and converting industry, organised by Al Fajer at the Dubai World Trade Centre on 16