United Arab Emirates Glass Packaging Market

UAE Glass Packaging Market Analysis

The United Arab Emirates Glass Packaging Market is expected to register a CAGR of 6.3% during the forecast period.

The rise in vaccines has demanded glass packaging across the United Arab Emirates. For instance, in 2022, Sinopharm began phase III clinical trials of COVID-19 vaccine candidates in Abu Dhabi, the United Arab Emirates. The study is being conducted by Sinopharm's China National Biotec Group (CNBG) in collaboration with the Abu Dhabi government and Abu Dhabi-based artificial intelligence company G42 Healthcare. Such initiatives are expected to boost domestic demand for glass packaging products.

• The pharmaceutical glass packaging market is expanding significantly, owing to the growing demand for pharmaceutical products and technological advancements in the field. One of the considerable advantages of using glass packaging is its inert nature, as it does not react with its contents under most circumstances.
• The UAE Ministry of Health and Prevention and Jafza, a DP World company, signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) to develop the healthcare and pharmaceutical sector in the country. Under this agreement, the United Arab Emirates aims to attract more than 75 major pharmaceutical firms by 2021, from the current 54, with investments of up to AED 2.0 billion annually.The increase in pharmaceutical firms is expected to bring more glass packaging options to the country.
• Moreover, the growing focus on natural skin care treatments, non-invasive beauty procedures and the growing influence of beauty and lifestyle bloggers has contributed to the steady growth of the UAE's personal care sector. This shows that the demand for glass packaging products is increasing in the country.
• Moreover, the demand for glass bottles is increasing due to high demand from the consumers. According to the World Health Organization, the UAE dominates other countries around the Middle East regarding drinking, with a per capita alcohol consumption of 3.8 liters (1 gallon) per person per year. The increase in per capita alcohol consumption is expected to create more glass packaging varieties.
• Moreover, glass packaging has been recognized as an essential industry across the United Araba Emirates during the COVID-19 outbreak. The pandemic has increased demand for medicine bottles, food jars and beverage bottles, leading to increased demand for glass packaging from the food & beverage and pharmaceutical sectors.

UAE Glass Packaging Market Trends

Glass Bottles and Containers Expected to Witness Significant Growth

• The United Arab Emirates imports medicine from 72+ countries. Large research-based pharmaceutical companies have long existed in the country through various contract manufacturing or local distribution channels, creating market opportunities for glass bottle and container manufacturers.
• Over the last few years, the United Arab Emirates government has announced two major plans, Dubai Industrial Strategy 2030 and Abu Dhabi Vision 2030. It aims to strengthen the domestic high-growth sector. The economic strategies of both of the country's two largest cities identify the pharmaceutical industry as a development priority. These development plans leverage glass bottle packaging for the pharmaceutical industry. Furthermore, the government announced plans to establish itself as a global hub for various international pharmaceutical companies to double the number of manufacturing sites by 2021.
• According to ITC calculations based on the Federal Bureau of Competitiveness Statistics and the United Nations, the value of glass imports is that domestic consumers store food and beverages for hygienic reasons and use glass to protect the environment from PET bottles, and this trend has been increasing recently in the region.
• The Crown Prince of Dubai encourages individuals and businesses to take small, influential steps to reduce disposable plastics. Recently, the Dubai Executive Council has approved a policy of imposing a 25 fils obligation on disposable plastic bags from July 2022. Due to consumer and employee concerns, many of the UAE's leading companies are offering eco-friendly alternatives such as reusable glass bottles, metal bottles, glass containers, bamboo straws and paper packages.
• Further, in January 2021, the UAE-based perfumer, Salva,revealed a new fragrance Hope dedicated to seafarers. Through this initiative, the brand wants to raise awareness of the plight of seafarers around the world and support them. Such initiatives are aimed at boosting the domestic glass bottle and containers market.

Personal Care Expected to Witness Significant Growth

• Due to the increasing influence of lifestyles and cosmetic products, this country has a great demand for beauty and personal care products across the United Arab Emirates. The Messe Frankfurt estimated retail prices for cosmetology products in 2020 to be USD 2.71 billion. Personal care products will lead to a boost in demand for glass packaging across the United Arab Emirates.
• The region's consumers are becoming more health-conscious and are seeking natural, chemical-free goods. The demand for organic personal care products may also rise due to strict regulations designed to promote the use of organic ingredients in the skincare sector. It is anticipated that market growth will result from innovations that increase production effectiveness and shelf life. Therefore, perfect glass packaging is necessary to protect personal care products for a longer period of time.
• Various brands from different parts of the world are investing in and launching their personal care products in glass packaging in the United Arab Emirates as part of business expansion. For instance, in February 2022, London-based skincare brand Saltee finally landed at GCC and launched exclusively at Powder, offering various products focused solely on skin protection, nutrition, and recovery. Saltee also provides vegan, paraben-free, and ocean-friendly sun protection products in recycled packaging using glass as primary material.
• Additionally, key players are focsued on expanding their business by opening new faciltiies in the country. For instance, SGS SA opened a brand-new testing facility in Dubai in March 2022. The lab at the new facility specializes in the analytical testing of cosmetic and personal care goods. SGS SA covers wide range of packaging solutions that includes glass packaging and more materials. Such expansions will leverage glass packaging in the the country.
• The country is also seeing significant investment in the cosmetics industry to inspire innovative and sustainable packaging solutions including recycle and glass packaging. For example, Unilever has launched a personal care product, Beauty and Planet, to promote and support a sustainable beauty movement in the Middle East. The product range aimed to reduce annual carbon dioxide emissions by 20% in 2020.
• Additionally, there is a large selection of cosmetics and fragrances available to consumers in the United Arab Emirates. In order to capture the largest market and strengthen their position on the market, cosmetic and fragrance companies are upgrading their packaging with a range of sustainable materials specifically glass packaging.

UAE Glass Packaging Industry Overview

The United Arab Emirates Glass Packaging Market is primarily dominated by few regional and global players. However, the properties of glass and its benefits for beverages, cosmetics, and other industries are leading to the increased adoption of glass bottles, containers, vials, and ampoules. Players in the market adopt strategies such as product innovation, partnerships, mergers, and acquisitions to increase their market share and further recyclability, driving the market.

• November 2021 - Corning Incorporated introduced Corning Velocity Vials, specially engineered Type I borosilicate vials externally coated with the company's proprietary technology, helping industry-leading drugmakers. The increased efficiency and throughput enabled by Velocity Vials can drive faster manufacturing of COVID-19 vaccines, helping address supply chain challenges and meet global demand.
• January 2021 - Nipro Corporation and ADCHEM announced a new partnership that promotes NIPRO's extensive range of primary packaging made from tubular glass (pre-fillable syringes, vials, cartridges, ampoules) to several countries in Middle East and primarily in United Arab Emirates.

UAE Glass Packaging Market Leaders

UAE Glass Packaging Market News

• June 2022 - Saverglass, specializing in the manufacture and decoration of high-end glass bottles and high-end glass bottles for the wine and spirits industry, announced doubling glass production globally and improving decoration capacity in early 2023. Such production will also allow the company to cater to the customers' needs in the United Arab Emirates.
• May 2021 - Corning Incorporated and Stevanato Group announced a licensing agreement to offer an integrated solution that will deliver biopharmaceutical companies with improved levels of protection for injectable drugs while promoting smoother manufacturing operations. These agreements will help Corning Incorporated to offer their foremost glass packaging material for biopharmaceutical companies across United Arab Emirates.