In a major expansion drive that will boost exports of its products to newer markets, Al Bayader International, the UAE’s leading manufacturer and supplier of packaging and cleaning solutions, has invested AED200 million ($54.45 million) in a newly expanded manufacturing facility in Dubai’s Jebel Ali Free Zone (Jafza).

The new expanded plant will enable a self-sustained industrial ecosystem that will see its 1,700+ product range exported to the rest of the world, the company said in a statement.

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

The 23,000 sq m new plant also features advanced technology to manufacture its own machinery and moulds. Al Bayader, already holds 10 patents of design moulds for food packaging solutions from the US Patents & Trademark Office.

Al Bayader currently operates six manufacturing facilities in the UAE and Qatar in addition to nine logistics locations. The UAE manufacturing plants are located in Sharjah and Jebel Ali.

AlMheiri touring the expanded Al Bayader facility

The company said it leads several GCC markets with a substantial market share, while steadily increasing penetration into markets further afield, including Europe and Africa. 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.

“The expansion of our facility is another milestone moment in our journey. We have always been committed to transforming our business model and be an agile organisation that meets evolving market needs. Through this facility we can serve the entire food packaging supply chain through locally made products,” said Nidal Haddad, Founder & 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, the company said.

Mariam Bint Mohammed Saeed Hareb AlMheiri, UAE Minister of State for Food & Water Security, who inaugurated the new facility, said: “The expansion of Al Bayader International’s Jebel Ali factory is an important step towards contributing to the UAE’s overall food security ecosystem, as well as the newly launched industrial strategy “Operation 300bn”.

I commend Al Bayader for its efforts to increase its capacity and its sustainability initiatives, which reflects its commitment, and our other private sector partners, to helping ensure the UAE has the capacity to overcome any future food security crisis that we might face.”

Sultan Ahmed bin Sulayem, Group Chairman and CEO of DP World, said: “The strategic location of Jafza serves as a leading trade and logistics hub, connecting businesses to over 3.5 billion consumers with the support of Jebel Ali Port to thrive and strengthen trade relations with international markets. Al Bayader International’s expansion of its facility, despite the challenges of the pandemic, underlines the reputation of the UAE in enabling innovative businesses to thrive.”

Al Bayader said it was one of the first accredited Middle Eastern packaging companies to obtain the Hazard Analysis Critical Control Points Certification (HACCP) – and the BRC grade AA by the end of 2018, an internationally recognised standard. Focused on safety, practicality, quality and innovative packaging, the company has set standards in food packaging led by its four core values of sustainability, design thinking, transparency and passion.