ArabPlast 2025, West Asia’s largest exhibition for the petrochemical, plastics, packaging, rubber, and recycling industries, concluded on a successful note. The 17th edition was held at Dubai World Trade Centre from 7-9 January, 2025.
The biannual B2B trade show brought global industry stalwarts, professionals, and decision makers under a single canvas. Chairman of Dubai Media Incorporated HH Sheikh Hasher Al Maktoum, who officially inaugurated ArabPlast 2025, says, “ArabPlast plays a pivotal role in advancing the petrochemical, plastics, and rubber industries, which are significant drivers of economic growth worldwide. The exhibition not only strengthens international partnerships in these industries but also provides a strategic platform for participants and visitors to discover cutting-edge solutions and technologies that propel this field forwards.”
During his tour of the exhibition, the DMI Chairman visited the 12 international pavilions, including those from China, Germany, India, Italy, and other key pavilions from the Gulf countries.
Exhibition Manager Nidal Mohammed Kadar highlighted the central role of petrochemicals and oil-and-gas-derived components in everyday products such as packaging, plastics, clothing, detergents, and tyres. “The plastics and petrochemical industries are poised to become leading contributors to the economic growth of oil producing nations in the coming years.”
Strong Emphasis on Sustainability
This year’s ArabPlast placed a strong emphasis on environmental sustainability. “The 2025 edition of ArabPlast showcased the latest advancements in the plastics and petrochemical industries while emphasising sustainability, environmental consciousness, and the circular economy,” says Kadar.
In the packaging industry, the growing demand for more environmentally responsible materials and better recycling will drive demand for thinner, lighter materials, and less waste, combined with faster turnaround times, flexibility, and optimised costs.
Leading packaging solutions provider BOBST showcased the latest innovations in printing, substrate processing, and converting at ArabPlast 2025. “These cutting-edge solutions are designed to help flexible packaging converters and label producers achieve superior product quality, enhanced profitability, and sustainable practices,” says Mohamed Hassairi, Regional Marketing & Communications Manager Bobst Africa & Middle East and Turkey/Caucasus.
Growing Global Participation and Strong Partnerships
The UAE serves as a strategic hub, offering advanced logistics infrastructure for seamless access to European and African markets. Needless to say, the trade show attracted a huge international audience with the 2025 edition having an impressive list of more than 750 exhibitors from the Middle East, Africa, Europe, and Asia-Pacific. The high-level energy and interaction between the exhibitors and their partners and customers were truly inspiring as they shared insights and explored opportunities to shape the future of their industries together.
A slew of products including raw materials, chemicals, and auxiliaries; plastic packaging equipment and services; moulds and dies; auxiliary equipment; semi-finished products; reinforced plastics; plastics finished products; pre- and post-processing recycling equipment; and machinery and plant for printing, marking, embossing, and laminating were on display.
