Packaging

Sapin production of unique can begins

Sapin’s production line for making the innovative cheese can with a special lacquer

Saudi-based packaging giant Sapin, known primarily as a leading metal can producer, recently commenced production of an innovative two-piece aluminum cheese can in Dammam – the first of its kind globally.

Sapin (Saudi Arabian Packaging Industries) developed these cans for packing Kraft cheese in partnership with a leading European packaging manufacturer for Mondelez International. They feature a specially formulated lacquer that helps release the cheese very easily. The special lacquer was a challenge to develop, as cheese has a tendency to stick to the edges and needs to be removed manually, the company explained.

“We’re proud of this new product, as it is the result of tremendous research and development.” said general manager Samir Al Zaben.

Al Zaben: new line fruit of tremendous
research

Sapin supplies packaging for a wide range of products including milk powder, nuts, baby food, coffee, juice powder, air fresheners, insecticides, cleaning agents, lubricating oil, paints, thinners, putty and inks, among other things. Customers, numbering more than 170, include high-profile names such as Nestle, Mondelez, Reckitt Benckiser, Jotun, Heinz, Al Jazeera, Hempel, Sidco, PPG, Akzo Nobel, Berger, Dulux, Sika, Fuchs, CMCI and Best Foods.

In line with their innovative approach, Sapin was first in the Middle East to manufacture aerosol cans and adopt computer-to-plate printing technology and it highlights superior printing quality in its products. One of its achievements was introducing heavy duty plastic pails in 2011 made from high-impact polypropylene and having the highest compression strength in its class. The company produces them in a range of sizes.

While the company has many customers for its metal packaging, it is also responding to markets that are increasingly embracing plastic’s advantages of light weight, potential lower costs and lower denting risks.

A closer view of the new Kraft cheese can
introduced by the company

“Plastic is becoming increasingly important and we are planning investments and diversification in the plastics business to be ready in line with future market requirements,” said Abdulrahman Al Suhaimi, assistant general manager.

The company is planning strategic investments in its plastics packaging segment in view of growing demand for that kind of packaging. Sapin, established in Dammam, Saudi Eastern Province, in 1976, sees itself as a pioneer in the Middle East’s can-making industry. Of its four plants, three are in Dammam and one is located in Dubai. Among the Dammam plants, Sapin 1 is dedicated to coil cutting, coating and printing, Sapin 2 is a specialised factory dedicated to the hygienic production of food packaging and Sapin 3 has the head office building and a factory to manufacture industrial cans, aerosol cans and plastic pails. The Dubai unit, Sapin 4, specialises in producing food packaging. The UAE plant has the Leed certification, reflecting the company’s adherence to environmentally friendly principles.

Al Suhaimi: more innovations to follow

Sapin has indicated it will capitalise on the growing demand for food packaging within the region and believes that the food cans sector will continue to grow at an approximate 5 per cent every year. It is focusing on developing cans that will be lightweight, colourful and attractive and is looking at introducing new technology that combines improved functionality and visual appeal.

The new can the company has developed for cheese is a result of that effort and other innovations are likely to follow, said Al Suhaimi.

Notwithstanding the appeal of plastics, the company believes the allure of metal will not fade away any time soon thanks to its strength and durability, better printing prospects and ability to withstand high temperatures.

“The food packaging sector is one to watch out for. With stable economic growth and a steady rise in population, we expect the food packaging industry to continue growing” said Loay Shawish, sales and marketing manager.

A Sapin coating line

An overwhelming portion of the packaging output is sold within the GCC region but with greater investments in facilities the company hopes to create more capacity to facilitate increased sales to markets outside the GCC region. Shawish says that the company will first seek to meet growing requirements within the Middle East markets, while noting that markets on the wider African continent are also generating demand.

The company has plans to upgrade some of its facilities including adding a new high-speed line in Sapin UAE to meet increasing demand, said Shawish.  He added that the company has its eyes on diversifying its product range from Sapin UAE to serve export markets in the near future.

Sapin is part of the Al Suhaimi Holding Company whose interests, besides packaging, include paint manufacturing, water well drilling services, water pump supply and installation, manufacturing of water booster systems, piling services, real estate, travel and tours and general trading.

Al Suhaimi highlights that Sapin has a strong focus on corporate social responsibility. The company is involved in activities to raise breast cancer awareness (Think Pink) and in controlling preventive diseases in cooperation with the Saudi National Guard.