The UAE’s plastics processing industry is growing at over 5 per cent annually, following the growth trend of the economy in general, according to a leading trading firm.

Al-Shihab Al-Thahabi, a UAE-based company with a long pedigree of trading in the Arab world, attributed the growth to the local manufacturers who, mindful of the rising operating costs, are upgrading to new machines, with the aim of increasing efficiency, lowering operating and utility costs and raising production.

Al-Shihab Al-Thahabi's statement made the observations as it announced its decision to take part for the fifth time in the ArabPlast, the region’s biggest plastics and petrochemical show. The event takes place from January 10-13.

Satish Khanna, general manager of Al Fajer Information and Services, co-organisers of ArabPlast 2015 with German company, Messe Dusseldorf, said the plastics processing industry in Europe is much bigger than the UAE, but the industry in the UAE compares very favourably to Europe in terms of levels of advancement in the machinery.”

Khanna added that visitors from Europe are often surprised by the technology and quality of management in place at UAE factories.

Rahim K Jamal, general manager, Al-Shihab Al-Thahabi, said: “It is a credit to the UAE industry that it is always looking to innovate and try new products and processes. Hence we follow very closely developments in plastics processing machinery all over the world.”

“We are proud to be part of one of the world’s leading plastics shows. The region holds huge expansion potential for companies from all over the world working in plastics and petrochemicals. Here the plastic processing machinery manufacturers from Europe and North America have a very good opportunity to leverage their position as technology leaders. We do see increasing penetration by manufacturers from India and China primarily because of lower costs of their machines. But the sophistication of UAE buyers is such that they are able to appreciate the long term technological cost and quality benefits of buying North American and  European machinery.”

According to Jamal, the plastics industry growth is interrelated with several other sectors. “The UAE's development strategy calls for positioning the country as a major global player in tourism, travel, trade and business. As this strategy has panned out, these industries have indeed been expanding rapidly over the past few years.”

“As the number of people moving to or travelling through the UAE has grown sharply, the demand for food and beverage products has also increased. As a result, new food and beverage units are being set up and older ones expanded.  Multinational food processing companies are also setting up their factories here.  The expansion of the food and beverage industry has created large new demand for a variety of high quality, eco friendly and attractive packaging products.”

Also, the construction sector is on the rise, increasing the demand for plastic products, such as pipes and fittings, waterproofing and soil membranes, expansion joints and wire and cable. “The local plastics processing industry has risen to this challenge by building new factories and upgrading older ones to meet new demand,” added Jeen Joshua, group project manager of ArabPlast.

Al-Shihab Al-Thahabi's operations cover the countries of the GCC and it prides itself in being an industrial solutions provider to the plastics, petrochemicals, paint and coatings, ink and adhesives, construction chemicals and the food industry. Industrial solutions focusing on plant engineering, machinery and equipment and raw materials.

ArabPlast 2015 will bring together under one roof suppliers, customers, and consultants from many different countries. It is now considered one of the most renowned plastics and rubber trade exhibition across the world. Over 150 containers of machinery will be on display at the ArabPlast, organisers said. - TradeArabia News Service