National Industries Park and Al Bayader International have partnered to establish an integrated Food Packaging Hub in Dubai through an investment of AED 180 million (US$50 million). The development is expected to expand food packaging production capacity across the region by up to 30,000 tonnes per year, supporting packaging supply chains that serve the hospitality, tourism, and food service sectors throughout the GCC. Construction is scheduled to begin in 2026, while full-scale operations are expected to start in early 2028.
The facility will span more than 678,000 square feet and consolidate manufacturing, warehousing, and distribution activities within a single location. In addition to production operations, the site will include a robotics-enabled fulfilment centre, Al Bayader International’s corporate headquarters, and employee accommodation facilities. Once operational, the hub is expected to manufacture up to 10,000 tonnes of paper-based food packaging and 20,000 tonnes of circular plastics, including recycled PET (rPET), each year. Future expansion plans provide for additional production lines dedicated to aluminium-based and bio-based packaging materials.
Designed with sustainability objectives in mind, the facility will feature low-emission production lines, solar power systems, advanced water and waste management technologies, and an on-site water treatment plant. The production of recycled PET and paper-based packaging is intended to support sustainable cold-chain operations by reducing reliance on virgin materials for produce crates and containers while offering compostable alternatives for fresh fruit and vegetable shipments. The project is also expected to improve packaging availability across regional markets, shorten supply lead times, and strengthen export capabilities for both regional and international customers.
Commenting on the initiative, Abdulla Al Hashmi, Global COO of Parks and Economic Zones at DP World, said expanding manufacturing capacity within the packaging sector would help improve supply chain resilience and further strengthen the GCC’s broader trade ecosystem. Nidal Haddad, Founder and CEO of Al Bayader International, said: “This project is a major milestone in the company’s long-term growth strategy, bringing together its manufacturing, logistics and corporate operations under one integrated platform.“ The Food Packaging Hub is expected to reduce dependence on imported packaging through its annual capacity of 30,000 tonnes, helping lower lead times and freight costs for fresh-produce exporters. Upon launch in early 2028, the facility is expected to reinforce supply chain resilience for the hospitality and food service sectors while enhancing Dubai’s role as a centre for advanced manufacturing and value-added logistics within the packaging industry.