Bigger edition with wider spectrum of products

The 11^thedition of the Arabplast reflects the highly positive sentiments of those engaged in the plastics and rubber manufacturing in the Middle East and North African (MENA) region. The trade fair, held in Dubai every two years, has developed into a leading marketplace for innovative products and promising applications. Arabplast 2013, scheduled from 7 to 10 January 2013 in the International Convention and Exhibition Centre in Dubai experienced a significant increase in demand for exhibition space, as machine and plant manufacturers, raw material producers, and plastic and rubber processors from around the world register to present their innovations.

The Middle East and the Gulf States play a prominent role in the global plastics and rubber industry, mainly due to their position in the oil market. The petrochemical industry is still the world’s production and export leader and supplies its goods to more than 150 countries around the globe. The number of plastics processing plants is rising all the time: They are profiting from the fact that Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) have been investing on a massive scale in their infrastructure and the diversification of their economies, with the goal of making themselves less dependent on revenues from oil sales. Dubai is considered to be the hub of economic life on the Arabian Peninsula and the gateway to the markets in neighbouring states.

The Arabplast takes place once again in proven combination with Tekno Tube Arabia and Arabia Essen Welding & Cutting. An estimated 900 exhibitors from 47 countries are participating in this year’s edition, which is 34% bigger than in the previous edition.Visitors are expected to top the 18,500 recorded in 2011.

On display at ArabPlast 2013 are new products and technologies in injection moulding, blow moulding, wrapping and packaging, preand post plastic processing techniques, as well as raw materials, such as masterbatches, additives and polymers. The show covers a wide spectrum of plastic machinery, plastic/rubber processing technology, pre and post-processing systems, plastic packaging technology, injection moulding, blow moulding, wrapping technology, extrusions, chemicals and additives, semi-finished goods, engineering plastics and plastic products.

In high-growth phase
The Gulf petrochemicals industry continues to be the world's largest producer and exporter, offloading the majority of its output to more than 150 countries worldwide. The Gulf States account for 11% of the $600 billion global petrochemical industry. Over the next five years, the Gulf's market share of the global petrochemical industry will jump to over 17%, according to an industrial study.

Satish Khanna, General Manager, Al Fajer Information and Services, Co-organiser of the show along German exhibition organizer Messe Dusseldorf, said: “The GCC is truly the centre of gravity for the Gulf petrochemical industry, with huge local and external investments and global major players partnering with local companies projecting to increase the share of GCC region in the production of petrochemicals.”

Rising demand from Asia and increasing European appetite for Middle Eastern products are also helping absorb the surge in production of plastics and petrochemicals by fast-expanding GCC manufacturers. The Gulf is the leading export hub of plastics raw material to the world, thanks to compMiesten kengät laajasta valikoimasta