Packaging firm Al Bayader invests Dhs200m in Dubai facility to expand manufacturing capacity

UAE-based packaging materials supplier Al Bayader International has invested Dhs200m in expanding its manufacturing facility in Dubai’s Jebel Ali Free Zone (Jafza) as it seeks to start exporting products internationally, it announced on Tuesday.

The expanded plant doubles its production capacity to 18,000 tonnes per annum of food packaging solutions, taking its overall manufacturing production capacity to 31,000 tonnes per annum.

The 23,000 square metre new plant also features advanced technology to manufacture its own machinery and moulds.

Al Bayader, which has a portfolio of over 1,700 products and holds 10 US patents, currently operates six manufacturing facilities in the UAE and Qatar as well as nine logistics locations.

The company’s products include single-use tableware, single-use food containers, baking moulds and sheets, bags and wrapping systems, cleaning and hygiene products, food decoration items, foil and film rolls, paper products, and bottles and jars.

“Through this facility we can serve the entire food packaging supply chain through locally made products,” said Nidal Haddad, founder and CEO of Al Bayader International.

The new plant in Jafza South also complements the UAE’s industrial strategy to create an expanded portfolio of ‘Made in UAE’ products that can be exported to several European, Asian, South American and African nations, a statement said.

The UAE’s Minister of State for Food and Water Security Mariam Bint Mohammed AlMheiri – who inaugurated the plant – said: “The expansion of the UAE’s food ecosystem is a priority for the leadership to enhance national food security, especially in light of its recovery from the global coronavirus pandemic.

“The expansion of Al Bayader International’s Jebel Ali factory is a significant component in this next stage and represents an important step towards contributing to the UAE’s overall food security ecosystem, as well as the newly launched industrial strategy ‘Operation 300bn’ led by the Ministry of Industry and Advanced Technology and aims to enhance the industrial sector in the coming years.”

Sultan Ahmed bin Sulayem, group chairman and CEO of DP World added: “Building a logistics supply chain in the F&B sector, especially in the food packaging sector, which has been largely under-served, will enable the nation to boost the exports of these essential goods, and play a role in championing food hygiene and security.”

Al Bayader recently opened its flagship retail outlet in Dubai on Sheikh Zayed Road as part of larger expansion plans to open more retail outlets across the UAE this year and also expand in Oman, Qatar and Saudi Arabia.

The company currently has four retail operations in Abu Dhabi, Ras Al Khaimah, Ajman and Al Ain.

Imminent openings include one in Fujairah and a second outlet in Abu Dhabi, the statement said.