Industry leaders and sustainability advocates will gather at Paperworld Middle East and Gifts and Lifestyle Middle East from November 12-14 to examine sustainability in the paper, stationery, and packaging sectors. The event’s Hub Forum will host panels and discussions on the region’s environmental challenges and UAE government policies addressing sustainability.
Project Sustainability, an annual feature, will highlight eco-friendly products and innovations, emphasizing efforts to reduce environmental impact. Attendees can explore a range of sustainable materials and printing techniques within a new Kraft and Packaging section.
The event’s opening session, “Future-Forward Sustainability in Logistics Packaging,” will cover industry shifts toward sustainable packaging solutions. This will be followed by a panel titled “Navigating Sustainability in the Middle East,” featuring representatives from Ecobee, Shift Eco, Bambuyu, and Red Ridge Global, who will discuss adapting global solutions to regional environmental needs. Bambuyu Founder Sahar Karoubi remarked, “The region still has some way to go regarding locally available raw materials and effective packaging solutions, and sustainability awareness is critical at both consumer and organizational levels.”
Highlighting efforts in eco-conscious production, Bambuyu’s range includes 100% bamboo products, packaged plastic-free to minimize landfill waste. Karoubi emphasized, “We aim to be thought leaders in the region, addressing consumer needs and offering sustainable alternatives.”
Ecobee, a UAE-based brand focused on sustainability, offers products such as jute bags, bamboo toothbrushes, and recycled copier paper. Founder Richa Bansal noted the challenges companies face in adopting sustainable practices, stating, “Our recycled A4 copier paper, developed after six months of research, uses waste paper without chemicals, reducing environmental impact.”
The forum will also discuss government policies on single-use plastics, including Abu Dhabi’s and Dubai’s recent bans, aiming to reduce the nation’s 40% single-use plastic consumption. In the session “Government Policy on Single-Use Plastics: Implications and Opportunities,” speakers Yuvraj Bahl of Kaagaz Trading, Parv Sondhi of PSQ Paper Trading, and Kaunain Shahidi of KRecycling will offer guidance on sustainable alternatives and compliance strategies. Sondhi stated, “Small changes in the pulp and paper industry are essential for sustainable progress.”
With its emphasis on sustainability and innovation, Paperworld Middle East provides a platform for stakeholders to engage with the region’s unique environmental challenges and explore sustainable solutions.