Packaging Solutions: Ajas Shaikh on Lamipak’s Role in Supporting the Growth of the Beverage Industry in the Middle East and Africa

Lamipak has been supporting the growth of the beverage industry in the Middle East and Africa for over a decade. Ajas Shaikh, Head of the Middle East and Africa Cluster, discusses the company’s well-established presence as the region’s first-choice aseptic packaging solutions partner, its ongoing support for the food and beverage industry, and new innovations aimed at supporting the transition to a circular economy.

Could you share a brief introduction to Lamipak and its journey into the Middle East and Africa region?

Lamipak is a global leader in aseptic packaging. From our two sites in Kunshan, China, and Indonesia, we supply high-quality liquid beverage cartons to leading food and beverage brands in over 87 countries worldwide. In 2023, we delivered over 13 billion packages to more than 430 dairy and juice customers globally.

Our journey into the Middle East and Africa region began in 2014 when we first started exporting our packaging materials to the region. We have earned the trust and confidence of our customers through our quality and dedicated service, which has helped us expand across the region and become a reliable supplier during challenging times.

Over the years, we have listened to our customers’ pain points and needs, which has allowed us to evolve from being just a packaging material supplier to a complete business solution provider. Today, in addition to our packaging, we offer our customers technical support services, which have been crucial in ensuring that many plants across the region operate at optimal capacities. What is truly unique about this service is that it is custom-tailored to meet our customers’ needs, ensuring both effectiveness and cost minimization.

What prompted Lamipak to expand its presence in this market, and what specific opportunities do you see here?

We expanded into the region because it presented immense potential for aseptic packaging. In 2023, the region consumed about 13 billion liters of white and flavored milk and around 7.6 billion liters of juice and juice drinks, according to GlobalData. This represents a significant market opportunity for aseptic packaging, as it is the most suitable solution for the region, given that ambient beverages are preferred due to limited refrigeration infrastructure. Additionally, our entry provided a reputable alternative aseptic packaging solutions supplier that customers had been seeking. We have not only filled this gap but have also comprehensively met our customers’ needs, growing alongside them.

Opportunities for growth are further amplified by the fact that the Middle East and Africa have one of the fastest-growing populations in the world. The World Bank estimates that Africa’s working-age population will grow by 450 million people—nearly 70%—by 2035. This trend is expected to further increase milk and juice consumption in the region, with volumes projected to grow by 600 million liters and 1.2 billion liters, respectively, over the next five years.

As suppliers of aseptic packaging solutions, we aim to be present and support industry players in meeting this growing demand for dairy and juice products.

What unique packaging products and solutions does Lamipak offer to cater to the specific needs of the Middle East and Africa market?

Given the vast and diverse nature of the Middle East and Africa, we have seen different markets favoring various packaging formats. For example, our pillow pack, which performs well in tough terrains, is highly favored in markets like Kenya, Egypt, and Nigeria, while markets in South Africa tend to lean toward the brick slim format for milk. The same trend is seen with juice, with many players across the region preferring our brick slim format, and brands seeking to differentiate themselves on the shelf are pivoting to more premium formats such as LamiDiamond, LamiEdge, LamiGemina, and LamiSlim Leaf.

The diversity in packaging preferences is evident as you move from country to country, but as Lamipak, we pride ourselves on having one of the most extensive portfolios of pack formats in the industry. With over 65 pack formats across 14 pack designs, we are uniquely positioned to offer packaging solutions suited to the distinct needs of different markets in the region.

Additionally, as a customer-focused company, we respond quickly to unique customer requirements for new pack designs or formats, especially when they are committed to building a long-term partnership with Lamipak.

Are there any recent innovations or products that Lamipak has launched?

We have an exciting lineup of new innovations, including LamiNatural, our very first eco-friendly product; LamiPure, an aluminum-free aseptic carton; and Lamisleeve, our first foray into sleeve-fed filling technology.

LamiNatural is made from bio-based polyethylene (bioPE) and unbleached paperboard.

The unbleached paperboard minimizes chemical consumption, while the bioPE layer increases renewable content to 85% compared to the standard aseptic carton.

Its unique structure results in a 10% reduction in carbon footprint compared to standard packs.

With Lamisleeve, we offer a solution that caters to a broad spectrum of liquid foods, including those containing particulates, offering unprecedented flexibility to manufacturers. This technology also aligns with consumer preferences for products with enhanced texture experiences, such as drinking yogurts containing real fruit or juices with pulp.

LamiPure represents a significant step forward in sustainable packaging. Its proprietary polyethylene barrier structure makes it easier to recycle compared to existing aseptic cartons, aligning perfectly with the global push toward a circular economy.

Lamipak recently attended the Gulfood Manufacturing exhibition. What were the key highlights of your participation?

Gulfood Manufacturing is one of the most influential and comprehensive trade events for the food and beverage manufacturing industry in the Middle East. As an exhibitor, it provided a unique opportunity to connect with key industry players, establish new partnerships, and gain valuable insights into emerging trends and technologies in food manufacturing.

Our participation in Gulfood Manufacturing strengthened our brand reputation, positioning Lamipak as a key player in the aseptic packaging industry as we continue to move forward with the vision of becoming the world’s second-largest supplier of aseptic packaging solutions.

What can we expect from Lamipak in the coming years in terms of product development, partnerships, or regional initiatives?

Lamipak is a dynamic company, continuously adapting to ever-changing market conditions and customer demands. Moving forward, our growth will be driven by a customer-first vision and highly customized solutions designed to meet the evolving needs of our clients.

In the coming years, we plan to expand our premium pack portfolio with additional roll and sleeve-fed options. LamiSleeve, which we recently launched, will be available in 4 shapes and 19 formats once production reaches full capacity.

As a leader in sustainable packaging, we also plan to expand our support for recycling activities in the region, collaborating with extended producer responsibility organizations in markets where we have a presence.

We see tremendous potential in the region and are committed to allocating more resources to ensure we continue to meet the needs of our customers.

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