Riyadh, Saudi Arabia — The luxurious ambiance of Voco Riyadh set the stage for a night of elegance, innovation, and industry collaboration. The Afra Sona MyCordenons Night, a recently held event, marked a significant moment in the Saudi Arabian luxury packaging market, celebrating the partnership between Afra, Sona Commercial, and myCordenons—one of Italy’s most esteemed paper brands.
The evening’s highlight was unveiling four exclusive paper collections, showcasing myCordenons’ unwavering commitment to innovation and excellence in fine paper production. The event drew over 200 industry professionals, all eager to witness the introduction of myReef, myKingdom, myRecyco, and myBoheme—each crafted with the same precision and artistry that has defined myCordenons for over 400 years.
“A stunning range of shades with 15% cotton, myKingdom allows brands to truly express their identity,” said Natalie of myCordenons, introducing the luxury paper lines to the captivated audience. These new collections, she explained, are designed to cater to the ever-growing demand for ultra-luxury materials in packaging, stationery, and high-end branding.
A Commitment to Quality and Sustainability
The event also highlighted the synergy between the partners in delivering high-quality, eco-friendly paper solutions. Vikrant of Sona Papers emphasized the sustainable nature of myCordenons’ offerings, noting, “Elevate your projects with myCordenons paper, renowned for its exceptional quality, stunning textures, and eco-friendly materials, making it the perfect choice for brands that want to stand out in a crowded market.”
Beyond the luxury paper showcase, the event also highlighted key trends in the regional market. A particularly insightful moment came during Vikrant’s talk on the unexpected success of fine paper sales in Bangladesh, a country not typically associated with high-end paper consumption. The strong demand for paper in the country was attributed to its use for high-quality price tags—a testament to the growing global demand for luxury paper, even in emerging markets.
Afra’s Managing Director, Vinay, shared his perspective on the increasing demand for fine paper in the Middle East, stressing the close ties between the luxury paper market and the region’s flourishing real estate sector. “Real estate companies are among the largest importers of luxury paper, using it for high-end catalogs and promotional materials,” he explained. This growing intersection between luxury packaging and real estate points to a broader shift in how high-end paper products are being utilized across multiple industries.
The Role of Packaging in Saudi Arabia’s Luxury Sector
As a personal testament to the quality of myCordenons, the event also celebrated a local success story—Packageha, a luxury gift packaging line that blends the elegance of Italian craftsmanship with rich Arabian heritage. “Using myCordenons paper has allowed us to create gift boxes and bags that reflect the beauty of both cultures,” said the founder of Packageha, whose products were displayed alongside other luxury packaging created with myCordenons paper.
The evening’s festivities were filled with interactive moments, including a quiz competition where I had the privilege of securing first place. Attendees also enjoyed photo opportunities with themed frames and left personal messages on the event’s commemorative board—making for an unforgettable night celebrating fine paper, luxury packaging, and the power of collaboration.
With the launch of myCordenons’ newest collections, the Afra Sona MyCordenons Night demonstrated the ongoing transformation of the Saudi Arabian packaging market, where high-quality paper is taking center stage in an ever-more sophisticated luxury industry. The event was not just a showcase of paper; it was a glimpse into the future of design, branding, and packaging excellence in the region.
This event marks a key milestone in the Afra, Sona, and myCordenons partnership, highlighting their shared commitment to excellence in Saudi Arabia’s rapidly growing luxury packaging market.
Reported by Doaa bin Thabit, Contributing Editor