Packaging in 2024: The big picture
Across fmcg industries in the United Arab Emirates, sustainability is the dominant theme, with food categories such as dairy and processed meat replacing rigid plastics with paperboard cartons and compostable trays, while confectionery brands are introducing biodegradable wrappers. Beverage players are accelerating adoption of rPET bottles and paperboard cartons, reducing virgin plastic use. Alcoholic drinks are shifting towards aluminium cans due to tariff-related glass costs, while premium spirits explore lightweight glass bottles. Beauty and home care brands lead innovation with refill pods, solid formats and bio-based plastics, reducing packaging waste.
2024 key trends
The most pervasive trend across United Arab Emirates industries is the shift towards eco-friendly packaging materials. Food and beverage brands are adopting paperboard cartons, rPET bottles and compostable films, while beauty and home care players are introducing bio-based plastics and refill pods. This movement is driven by consumer awareness of environmental issues and regulatory pressure to reduce virgin plastic use. For example, Almarai has transitioned to paper cartons for dairy drinks, and Unilever’s Dove offers refillable shampoo pods, signalling a strong commitment to circular packaging solutions.
Americana’s compostable trays and Ferrero’s mini packs reshape United Arab Emirates food packaging
Food packaging in the United Arab Emirates is undergoing a major shift towards eco-friendly materials. Americana has introduced paper-based trays with compostable linings for processed meat, replacing polystyrene and reducing environmental impact. Similarly, Al Ain Dairy has moved from rigid plastic tubs to lightweight paperboard cartons, cutting carbon footprint while maintaining product integrity.
Coca-Cola’s rPET bottles and Alpro’s cartons drive United Arab Emirates beverage sustainability
Non-alcoholic drinks in the United Arab Emirates are embracing rPET bottles and paperboard cartons to meet sustainability goals. Coca-Cola has introduced a 100% rPET bottle range, reducing virgin plastic use and supporting circular economy principles. Similarly, Alpro offers plant-based milk in renewable paperboard cartons, appealing to eco-conscious consumers.
Heineken’s canned beer and Diageo’s lightweight bottles redefine United Arab Emirates alcohol packaging
Alcoholic drinks in the United Arab Emirates are moving away from heavy glass bottles due to tariff-related cost pressures and sustainability goals. Heineken has expanded its canned beer portfolio, offering a lighter, fully recyclable alternative that reduces transportation emissions and material costs. This trend is particularly strong in beer and RTDs.
Dove’s refill pods and The Body Shop’s solid bars lead United Arab Emirates beauty sustainability
Beauty brands in the United Arab Emirates are embracing refillable packaging to minimise waste and appeal to eco-conscious consumers. Unilever’s Dove offers shampoo refill pods, reducing single-use plastic and encouraging repeat purchases. This approach combines sustainability with convenience, making it a popular choice in personal care.
OMO’s refill stations and compact sachets transform United Arab Emirates home care packaging
Home care brands in the United Arab Emirates are prioritising refillable formats to cut single-use plastic. OMO has introduced in-store refill stations for liquid detergents, encouraging consumers to reuse primary containers and reduce packaging waste. This approach aligns with sustainability goals while offering a cost-effective solution for households.
Royal Canin’s recyclable pouches set the tone for United Arab Emirates pet food packaging
Pet food brands in the United Arab Emirates are prioritising packaging that balances eco-friendliness with practicality. Royal Canin has introduced recyclable mono-material pouches for wet food, making them easier to process in recycling streams. These pouches also feature easy-tear designs, ensuring user convenience without compromising sustainability goals.
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Overview:
Understand the latest market trends and future growth opportunities for the Packaging industry in United Arab Emirates with research from Euromonitor International's team of in-country analysts – experts by industry and geographic specialisation.
Key trends are clearly and succinctly summarised alongside the most current research data available. Understand and assess competitive threats and plan corporate strategy with our qualitative analysis, insight and confident growth projections.
Data and analysis in this report provides further detailed coverage dedicated to a comprehensive range of packaging types.
If you're in the Packaging industry in United Arab Emirates, our research will help you to make informed, intelligent decisions; to recognise and profit from opportunity, or to offer resilience amidst market uncertainty.
The Packaging in United Arab Emirates report includes:
- Analysis of key supply-side and demand trends
- Detailed segmentation of international and local products
- Historic volume and value sizes, company and brand market shares
- Five year forecasts of market trends and market growth
- Robust and transparent research methodology, conducted in-country
This report answers:
- What is the market size of Packaging in United Arab Emirates?
- Which are the major pack types and how are they performing in United Arab Emirates?
- Have there been any packaging legislative changes in the past 12 months?
- How are consumption trends impacting the packaging landscape?
- What are the key trends and latest product developments in packaging?
- How important are sustainability and recycling to consumers in United Arab Emirates?
- Where is future growth expected to be most significant?
Packaging Industry in the United Arab Emirates
Packaging in 2024: The big picture
2024 key trends
Americana’s compostable trays and Ferrero’s mini packs reshape United Arab Emirates food packaging
Coca-Cola’s rPET bottles and Alpro’s cartons drive United Arab Emirates beverage sustainability
Heineken’s canned beer and Diageo’s lightweight bottles redefine United Arab Emirates alcohol packaging
Dove’s refill pods and The Body Shop’s solid bars lead United Arab Emirates beauty sustainability
OMO’s refill stations and compact sachets transform United Arab Emirates home care packaging
Royal Canin’s recyclable pouches set the tone for United Arab Emirates pet food packaging
Dubai’s single-use bag ban pushes retailers towards reusable solutions
United Arab Emirates climate law accelerates refill and lightweight packaging adoption
Reverse vending pilots pave the way for United Arab Emirates Deposit Return Schemes
DISCLAIMER
The following categories and subcategories are included:
Packaging
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- Baby and Child-specific Products Packaging
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- Bar Soap
- Bath Additives
- Body Powder
- Body Wash/Shower Gel
- Hand Sanitisers
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- Intimate Washes
- Intimate Wipes
- Liquid Soap
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- Eye Liner/Pencil
- Eye Shadow
- Mascara
- Other Lash and Brow Make-Up
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- BB/CC Creams
- Blusher/Bronzer/Highlighter
- Foundation/Concealer
- Powder
- Other Facial Make-Up
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- Lip Gloss
- Lip Liner/Pencil
- Lipstick
- Other Lip Products
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- Nail Polish
- Nail Treatments/Strengthener
- Polish Remover
- Other Nail Products
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- Deodorant Creams
- Deodorant Pumps
- Deodorant Roll-Ons
- Deodorant Sprays
- Deodorant Sticks
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- Hair Removers/Bleaches
- Women's Pre-Shave
- Women's Razors and Blades
- Fragrances Packaging
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- 2-in-1 Products
- Colourants
- Conditioners and Treatments
- Perms and Relaxants
- Salon Professional Hair Care
- Standard Shampoos
- Styling Agents
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- Men's Post-Shave
- Men's Pre-Shave
- Men's Razors and Blades
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- Men's Bath and Shower
- Men's Deodorants
- Men's Hair Care
- Men's Skin Care
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- Dental Floss
- Denture Care
- Mouth Fresheners
- Mouthwashes/Dental Rinses
- Tooth Whiteners
- Toothbrushes
- Toothpaste
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- Body Care
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- Face Masks
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- Liquid/Cream/Gel/Bar Cleansers
- Facial Cleansing Wipes
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- Basic Moisturisers
- Anti-Agers
- Lip Care
- Toners
- Hand Care
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- Adult Sun Care
- Baby and Child-specific Sun Care
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- Dark Beer
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- Flavoured/Mixed Lager
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- Domestic Lager
- Imported Lager
- Non/Low Alcohol Beer
- Stout
- Cider/Perry
- RTDs
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- Brandy and Cognac
- Liqueurs
- Rum
- Tequila (and Mezcal)
- Whiskies
- White Spirits
- Other Spirits
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- Fortified Wine and Vermouth
- Non-Grape Wine
- Sparkling Wine
- Still Light Grape Wine
- Non Alcoholic Wine
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- Fresh Coffee Beans
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- Fresh Ground Coffee Pods
- Standard Fresh Ground Coffee
- Instant Coffee
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- Black Tea
- Green Tea
- Fruit/Herbal Tea
- Instant Tea
- Other Tea
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- Flavoured Powder Drinks
- Other Plant-based Hot Drinks
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- Asian Speciality Drinks
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- Carbonated Bottled Water
- Flavoured Bottled Water
- Functional Bottled Water
- Still Bottled Water
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- Cola Carbonates
- Non-Cola Carbonates
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- Liquid Concentrates
- Powder Concentrates
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- 100% Juice
- Juice Drinks (up to 24% Juice)
- Nectars (25-99% Juice)
- Coconut and Other Plant Waters
- Energy Drinks
- Sports Drinks
- RTD Coffee
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- Carbonated RTD Tea and Kombucha
- Still RTD Tea
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- Cat Treats and Mixers
- Dry Cat Food
- Wet Cat Food
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- Dog Treats and Mixers
- Dry Dog Food
- Wet Dog Food
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- Dried Baby Food
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- Liquid Milk Formula
- Powder Milk Formula
- Prepared Baby Food
- Other Baby Food
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- Dessert Mixes
- Frozen Baked Goods
- Packaged Bread
- Packaged Cakes
- Packaged Pastries
- Dessert Pies and Tarts
- Breakfast Cereals Packaging
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- Chocolate Pouches and Bags
- Boxed Assortments
- Chocolate with Toys
- Countlines
- Seasonal Chocolate
- Tablets
- Other Chocolate Confectionery
- Gum
- Sugar Confectionery
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- Butter and Spreads
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- Processed Cheese
- Packaged Hard Cheese
- Soft Cheese
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- Flavoured Milk Drinks
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- Fresh Milk
- Shelf Stable Milk
- Goat Milk
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- Powder Milk
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- Sour Milk Products
- Yoghurt
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- Chilled and Shelf Stable Desserts
- Chilled Snacks
- Coffee Whiteners
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- Condensed Milk
- Cream
- Fromage Frais and Quark
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- Plant-based Milk
- Plant-based Yoghurt
- Plant-based Cheese
- Edible Oils Packaging
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- Frozen Yoghurt
- Impulse Ice Cream
- Plant-based Ice Cream
- Take-Home Ice Cream
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- Frozen Fruit
- Frozen Processed Potatoes
- Frozen Processed Vegetables
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- Shelf Stable Beans
- Shelf Stable Fruit
- Shelf Stable Tomatoes
- Shelf Stable Vegetables
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- Chilled Processed Meat
- Frozen Processed Meat
- Shelf Stable Meat
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- Chilled Processed Seafood
- Frozen Processed Seafood
- Shelf Stable Seafood
- Meat and seafood substitutes inc Tofu
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- Dried Ready Meals
- Shelf Stable Ready Meals
- Chilled Ready Meals
- Frozen Ready Meals
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- Chilled Pizza
- Frozen Pizza
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- Meal Kits
- Quick Recipe Kits
- Chilled Lunch Kits
- Prepared Salads
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- Dry Soup
- Shelf Stable Soup
- Chilled Soup
- Frozen Soup
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- Noodles
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- Chilled Pasta
- Dried Pasta
- Rice
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- Bouillon
- Gravy Cubes, Powders and Pots
- Herbs and Spices
- Monosodium Glutamate
- Tomato Pastes and Purées
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- Liquid Recipe Sauces (excl pasta sauces)
- Dry Recipe Sauces
- Pasta Sauces
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- Barbecue Sauces
- Chili Sauces
- Fish Sauces
- Ketchup
- Mayonnaise
- Mustard
- Oyster Sauces
- Salad Dressings
- Soy Sauces
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- Dips
- Pickled Products
- Other Sauces and Condiments
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- Nuts, Seeds and Trail Mixes
- Popcorn
- Pretzels
- Salty Snacks
- Savoury Biscuits
- Meat Snacks
- Seafood Snacks
- Other Savoury Snacks
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- Chocolate Spreads
- Honey
- Jams and Preserves
- Nut and Seed Based Spreads
- Yeast-based Spreads
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- Fruit Snacks
- Snack Bars
- Sweet Biscuits
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- Candle Air Fresheners
- Car Air Fresheners
- Electric Air Fresheners
- Gel Air Fresheners
- Liquid Air Fresheners
- Spray/Aerosol Air Fresheners
- Other Air Care
- Bleach
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- Automatic Dishwashing Liquids
- Automatic Dishwashing Powders
- Automatic Dishwashing Tablets
- Dishwashing Additives
- Hand Dishwashing
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- Electric Insecticides
- Insecticide Baits
- Insecticide Coils
- Spray/Aerosol Insecticides
- Other Home Insecticides
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- Carpet Cleaners
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- Dryer Sheets
- Liquid Fabric Softeners
- Laundry Aids
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- Powder Detergents
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- Compact Powder Tablet Detergents
- Liquid Tablet Detergents
- Liquid Detergents
- Other Detergents
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- Floor Polish
- Furniture Polish
- Metal Polish
- Shoe Polish
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- Cleaning Solution
- Starter Kits/Sweepers/Sticks (Excluding Wipes)
- Wipes (Excluding Starter Kits/Sweepers/Sticks)
- Bathroom Cleaners
- Descalers
- Drain Openers
- Floor Cleaners
- Home Care Disinfectants
- Kitchen Cleaners
- Multi-Purpose Cleaners
- Oven Cleaners
- Scouring Agents
- Window/Glass Cleaners
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- In-Cistern Devices
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- Rim Blocks
- Rim Liquids
- Toilet Care Tablets/Powders
- Toilet Cleaning Systems
- Toilet Liquids/Foam
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This report originates from Passport, our Packaging research and analysis database.
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