Smithers has hosted events in Europe, USA, Asia and Latin America – and the new edition will leverage Smithers global packaging expertise and provide insights, case studies and an introduction to sustainable packaging in the Middle East & North Africa (MENA).

According to market intelligence from their latest industry report, The Future of Global Packaging to 2028, Africa and the Middle East are among the fastest growing packaging markets, with both emerging markets (along with Asia and South & Central America) forecast to grow packaging sales faster than the global market average across the five-year period to 2028.

As per a press note issued by Smithers, "Most countries in these regions are categorised by quite low packaging consumption rates per capita, and therefore offer good growth prospects for packaging market development. Sustainability is also expected to gain more prominence with brand owners switching from plastics to more sustainable packaging solutions such as board and paper-based products."

The MENA event includes representatives from Mondelez International, KraftHeinz, Mars, Alliance to End Plastic Waste, Circular Packaging Association, Napco National, Taghleef Industries, EU Corporate Advocacy Group, Federation of Saudi Chambers, ASASE Foundation, and more.

The topics which will be discussed are: how to set up a circular economy; sustainable packaging solutions; waste management and recycling; redesigning of packaging; how to successfully implement EPR and material innovations.