Arabplast proves successful for UK exhibitors

A contingent of UK plastics representatives at Arabplast 2013 reported a successful show, with companies in the region seemingly keen to invest in the latest technologies and machinery to increase production capacities and improve efficiencies.

At the show, held between 7th – 10th January in Dubai, the BPF co-ordinated the British Pavilion, made up of nine UK companies including Atlas Converting Equipment, ColorMatrix, CR Clarke, EPI (Europe) Ltd, Farrel Corporation, Listgrove, NDC, Perrite and Tinius Olsen. A number of other British Companies exhibited at the show including Applied Market Information, Wells Plastics Ltd, Symphony Environmental and Wessington Group.

Despite some signs of slowdown in the region the show proved to be a major success, with the show organiser, Al Fajar Information and Services, stating that the show attracted approximately 30,000 visitors, up from 18,860 the last time it took place in 2011.

The exhibition is a truly international affair with exhibitors coming from some 47 countries and featuring large international pavilions including Germany, Switzerland, Turkey, Italy, China and India. The German pavilion alone featured 77 companies and covered more than 1,100 sqm.

Satish Khanna, General Manager of Al Fajer, said that the numbers reflected the rapid increase of plastic consumption in the Middle East. Per capita consumption of plastics in the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries is 39kg annually, 33% higher than the world average and almost eight times higher than India, said Khanna.

Whilst the show does not register the same volume of visitors as shows in India or China the quality of visitors is exceedingly high with companies expressing a serious willingness to invest in high quality machinery and specialist materials.

Stephen Hunt, Business Development Manager at the BPF, commented: “The show provides the perfect platform for firms to meet not only with companies from across the Middle East but also from further afield including Africa, India, China, Pakistan and Bangladesh. There are huge opportunities for our member firms in this market not only through large infrastructure projects such as the World Cup 2022 in Doha but also in the packaging and recycling markets amongst others.”

David Harry of CR Clarke stated: “Arabplast was an excellent show for us and we made a lot of good new contacts, not only from the local region, but also from the likes of Russia, India and Pakistan. We sold the three small machines we had at the stand, and are close to confirming a couple of other decent orders in the near future.”

According to the Arabplast show organisers, it has been reported that Machinery worth $3bn was sold during the four-day exhibition. This staggering amount coincides with reports from the British Group stating that companies in the region are keen to invest in the latest technologies and machinery to increase production capacities and improve efficiencies.

Space is still available in the BPF co-ordinated British Pavilions’ at Chinaplas (Guangzhou, China, 20th-23rd May 2013) and Plastivision (Mumbai, India, 12th-16th December 2013). UK Trade & Investment grants of £1,800 are available for both shows. For more information visit www.bpfevents.co.uk