24 Leaders at Paperworld Middle East underline localisation and supply chain growth in MENA Regional manufacturers and traders at Paperworld Middle East, have highlighted how the Middle East’s expanding paper and packaging industry is driving localisation, strengthening supply chains, and enhancing the region’s export competitiveness. Held as part of the event’s Hub Forum, the panel discussion titled Made in MENA: Connecting Paper Manufacturers, Traders & Packaging Leaders for Regional Growth, brought together key industry figures including Parv Sondhi, Founder and Managing Partner of P Square; Fadi Baaklini, Chairman and Founder of MEPCO Gulf Commodities; Ali Haider, CEO of Capital Envelopes; and Hitendra Daherikar, Sales Team Lead at Kaagaz Trading. The panellists discussed how MENA-based producers are scaling up production capacity and localising operations to meet rising domestic demand, while reducing dependency on international supply chains. The speakers agreed that domestic consumption is climbing steadily, creating opportunities for expanded production and increased export potential. Ali Haider, whose Dubai-based company produces over 1.5 billion envelopes per year, said that being based in the region offers a significant competitive advantage. “It gives us a good positioning in regional markets. For us to be geographically located here, being physically close to our main customer base helps significantly with supply chain management.” The discussion also explored how local producers are responding to growing sustainability expectations while maintaining cost efficiency. “Paper is sustainable, fully biodegradable and recyclable. At Capital Envelopes, we use only water-based inks and glues, and our machinery is energyefficient. We also recycle water within our facilities,” said Haider. Parv Sondhi of P Square highlighted the differing approaches to sustainable packaging options. “Corporate clients with clear sustainability goals are willing to pay for sustainable packaging, but broader adoption depends on more cost-effective solutions entering the market.” Speaking after the session, Teresa Heitor Goncalves, Portfolio Director – Consumer Goods, Messe Frankfurt Middle East GmbH said: “The insights shared during the panel discussion show how much the sector is evolving. It’s clear that regional companies are focused on growth, collaboration and long-term resilience. Bringing the industry together at Paperworld Middle East provides an important platform for these shared priorities to take shape and move forward.” Paperworld Middle East and co-located event Gifts & Lifestyle Middle East will take place again 26th to 28th October, 2026. Visit: https://paperworld-middle-east.ae.messefrankfurt.com/dubai Christmasworld spotlights the trends Leading international trade fair for seasonal and festive decorations, Christmasworld, already revealed the key decoration trends for the coming season earlier this year. Christmas 2025 will be mindful, unconventional, creative – and contagiously optimistic. A new sense of lightness is entering Christmas decorations. Cheerful designs and bright colours – from lemon yellow, orange and pink to sky blue and lavender – spread good cheer, especially when paired with candy-cane red and white. High-quality glass ornaments from Christborn make a statement with bold comic lettering and 1970s-style patterns. At the same time, beloved childhood memories are making a comeback in modern designs. Krebs Lauscha enchants with hand-painted blossoms, Shishi decorates baubles with colourful sprinkles, and Inge Glas Manufaktur brings sugar canes and cupcakes to the tree. A definitive must-have this season: honeycombs of all kinds. These honeycomb decorations deliver maximum effect with minimal effort. Also trending are creative home decorations made from natural materials. Woollen and knitted angels, elves and gnomes adorn windows and Christmas bouquets. Wooden Christmas trees, painted in white or red – like those by J-Line – create festive vibes throughout Advent. In addition, traditional artisans are increasingly appealing to a younger audience with fresh designs. There’s no Advent season without candles! The new GEO series by In-Cera by Graziani shows just how diverse candlelight can be. With simple, geometric shapes inspired by nature, they create a modern aesthetic. Traditional beeswax candles are also celebrating a comeback. Where safety is a concern, modern LED candles now look impressively realistic. Deluxe Homeart’s ‘wet look’ candles are almost indistinguishable from the real thing – a special coating around the flame gives the illusion of melted wax. Sustainable Gift Wrapping What would Christmas be without beautifully wrapped presents? And now you can wrap gifts without feeling sorry about the environmental impact – thanks to new types of paper made from recycled material, sugarcane and grass, which also boast wonderfully tactile surfaces. Pioneering brands include Zoewie, Rotolux and Rex Sadoch. Their ecoquality papers are adorned with handdrawn gnomes, festive cats and mice, cheerful moose and other woodland creatures – often accompanied by kind messages or a touch of humour. Matching ribbons are available from manufacturers like Francesco Brizollari or Goldina, whose high-quality fabric and curly ribbons even feature biodegradable glitter. Christmasworld takes place annually alongside Ambiente and Creativeworld in Frankfurt. At the February 2025 edition, around 148.000 visitors and 4,689 exhibitors from 170 nations gathered at this mega event. In addition to the offerings of international suppliers, the Christmasworld trend area presents upcoming colours, shapes and designs.
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