EDITOUR PETplanet Insider Vol. 24 No. 12/23 www.petpla.net 11 towards sustainability, with individuals actively seeking eco-friendly packaging options. Soft drinks manufacturers are responding to this trend by exploring ways to enhance the sustainability of their packaging to meet consumer expectations. In 2022, Agthia made a significant announcement about the introduction of a new water bottle for its Al Ain Water brand, crafted from rPET. This initiative marked a pioneering effort by a local company and followed the company’s previous launch of water bottles made entirely from plant materials in 2020. Agthia’s introduction of rPET bottles aligns with its commitment to transitioning towards a circular economy. Additionally, the company entered into a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Veolia Middle East subsidiary Repeet and Bee’ah to facilitate the manufacturing, collection, and recycling of rPET. This collaboration involves the establishment of a new 40,000m2 facility in Abu Dhabi, with an annual recycling capacity of 12,000 t of PET. The initiative aligns with the Ministry of Industry and Advanced Technology’s decision to regulate the use of recycled plastic bottles in the circulation of bottled drinking water. United Arab Emirates-based Coffee Planet launches ecofriendly coffee capsules The beverage packaging industry has witnessed innovations, such as the introduction of eco-friendly coffee capsules. As the trend of on-thego coffee consumption rises, coffee capsules offer a convenient and customisable solution for quick coffee preparation. However, a significant drawback is the non-biodegradability of many coffee capsules in the market, contributing to environmental concerns, particularly among the growing number of roasteries in the United Arab Emirates. Addressing this issue, Coffee Planet, based in the UAE, has launched 100% biodegradable and compostable coffee capsules. These capsules, crafted from vegetable-based materials, not only maintain product quality but also readily break down after use. Additionally, Coffee Planet has committed to planting a tree through the Eden Reforestation Project for every eco-capsule sold, demonstrating its dedication to sustainability. PET bottles dominate still bottled water packaging in Saudi Arabia as glass remains a niche choice for premium brands Still bottled water remains the biggest category in the Saudi Arabian soft drinks industry, accounting for more than half of the overall packaging unit volumes. This category dominates the usage of PET bottles in Saudi Arabian soft drinks market. With still bottled water expected to continue growing in the coming years, this also means a positive growth trajectory is expected for PET bottles over the forecast period. Glass is regarded as a sustainable packaging option, often chosen by premium juice and nectar brands Egypt Saudi Arabia Kuwait Qatar Oman United Arab Emirates 6 countries numerous interviews with PET companies Oman Saudi Arabia for its association with superior quality, reflecting positively on the product’s perceived quality. Despite ongoing growth, glass is anticipated to remain a relatively minor packaging choice compared to PET bottles and metal beverage cans. Factors contributing to this include the increasing costs of raw materials and logistics, given that glass is more expensive to produce and challenging to transport due to its susceptibility to breakage. Sustainable initiatives by other companies Companies are increasingly moving towards more sustainable packaging in order to keep up with the increasingly environmentally conscious consumers. Vimto Squash launched a “widely recycled” claim on its 1-litre PET bottles in liquid concentrates. Pearl Royal followed a similar strategy for its coconut water, with its coconut-shaped twin packs of 310 ml carrying three-step “how to recycle me” instructions on the packaging. Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 supports the sustainability drive and companies, including Almarai and Nestlé, have officially pledged to support this commitment in terms of packaging. www.euromonitor.com United Arab Emirates
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