Wide range of sustainable products to be showcased at Paperworld Middle East's Green Office Area

The spotlight will be on sustainably produced paper products and office supplies as Paperworld Middle East opens doors in Dubai, with international and local companies set to showcase their latest eco-friendly products to thousands of trade buyers.

Major manufacturers at the three-day event, taking place from 2-4 March at the Dubai International Convention and Exhibition Centre, have noted a significant increase in consumer environmental awareness, which is weighing heavily on their purchasing decisions.

Household stationery and office supply brand names have duly responded and will share the spotlight at Paperworld Middle East’s Green Office Area, a dedicated section promoting sustainably produced and eco-friendly products.

Leading the green revolution is paper manufacturer Double A, which will highlight its entire portfolio of sustainable paper brands manufactured using fibre from its proprietary agro-forestry program in Thailand called ‘Paper from KHAN-NA’.

Thirawit Leetavorn, Senior Executive Vice President at Double A, explained: “Double A has set the bar high in terms of sustainability; our production is self-sufficient in wood, water and renewable biomass power.  In Thailand, we partnered with farmers to grow our own ‘Double A Paper Tree’ on the barren strips of land surrounding paddy fields.

“We have our own rainwater reservoir that supplies water for production without draining community water resources. Lastly, waste from our pulping process, oversized wood chips and tree barks are all used to produce renewable electricity from biomass for the mill, the nearby industrial park, and a community of 400,000 homes,” added Leetavorn.

Also exhibiting at the Green Office Area is Asia Pacific Resources International Limited (APRIL) Group, a leading fibre, pulp and paper producer, which will roll out its latest range of premium digital paper certified by the Programme for Endorsement of Forest Certification.

Among the UAE-based companies with products at the Green Office Area is Hoshan Pan Gulf, which will launch its ‘Conqueror’ A4 paper, manufactured by UK-based company Arjowiggans Graphic, one of the largest recycled paper manufacturers in the world.

“Hoshan Pan Gulf continuously searches for new technology that brings the latest innovations to the market,” Syed Zeeshan Nazar, Brand Manager for Paper Products at Hoshan Pan Gulf.  “There is a significant growing demand for sustainably sourced products in the Middle East, coming not only from Government sector but also increasingly from consumers who are placing more value on products that are good for the environment.”

Other big international names showcasing products at The Green Office Area include tesa, Grandluxe, Rabeco, Salam Oriental, and WZ Eurocopert.

“Growing awareness about ecological concerns and conservation of resources is driving demand for sustainability in the paper, office supplies, and stationery industries,” said Ahmed Pauwels, CEO of Messe Frankfurt Middle East, organiser of Paperworld Middle East.

“The preference for green consumerism is transforming the way products are conceived, produced and consumed across the region.  Paperworld Middle East acts as a focal point for leading global manufacturers to reach regional buyers with their range of sustainably produced products.”

Now in its 5th edition, Paperworld Middle East is the largest trade show for stationery, paper, and office supplies in the Middle East and Africa, featuring more than 299 exhibitors from 40 countries, and registering an 18 per cent year-on-year growth.

Other highlights at the dedicated showcase event in 2015 include Playworld, Wrap Star, and the Paperworld Recycling Competition.