Based in the UAE, Hotpack Global has emerged as the world’s leading manufacturer of disposable food packaging products within a quarter of a century. Hotpack today exports to over 100 countries across the globe. As a leader in sustainable packaging, Hotpack also runs a chain of 16 manufacturing plants around the world and over 50 sales centres in the MENA region.   

Through strategic collaborations with customers, government bodies, and stakeholders, Hotpack has successfully transformed non-recyclable specifications into recyclable categories, and evolved as a pioneering force in sustainable packaging, setting a benchmark for the industry. 

With a commitment to environmental responsibility, the company has strategically invested in cutting-edge technologies, such as water-based coating lines, and has championed recyclability in its product range. 

“Our holistic approach to sustainability, encompassing materials, processes, and partnerships, firmly establishes them as a frontrunner in the journey towards eco-conscious packaging solutions,” says Abdul Jebbar, Group Managing Director of Hotpack Global.  

Abdul Jebbar has been living in the UAE for over 30 years developing Hotpack Global as a major in the food packaging industry in the UAE and beyond. He and his brothers Zainudheen and Anwar together developed Hotpack as the GCC’s largest manufacturer of disposable food packaging products and the industry leader in the food packaging industry in terms of market share.  

From the start, innovation has become the heart of Hotpack, With Abdul Jebbar at the helm, the company has developed over 4,000 products — ranging from paper cups to cling film, thus providing complete food packaging solutions to food service and household consumers. The company has diversified its range of food packaging products and continues to increase its product portfolio and reach.  

The company brings a wide range of sustainable packaging solutions to the marketplace. While embracing eco-alternatives where possible, Hotpack is moving towards environmentally friendly variants of plastic, which is always the better option for some products, which can be comprised of 70 per cent recycled content.  

According to Abdul Jebbar, the latest entrant in the packaging arena is biodegradable or compostable products. “To find real sustainable solutions, we need to take a more holistic approach instead of outright banning plastic use and washing our hands off the problem. If we want to explore real sustainability solutions, we must first understand what that entails and tackle the common misconceptions around it.” 

“The most important factor in sustainable food packaging is recyclability. Products that are easiest and cheapest to recycle would be the best at minimizing environmental impact. Companies are now also experimenting with reusable packaging, but its applications are limited,” he said.   

Hotpack has tackled this growing issue by developing an alternative ‘bio’ range that can be recycled. Many of Hotpack’s plastic production factories can accept up to 90 per cent recycled raw materials. Additionally, the company’s paper products such as a ‘Kraft Range’ also utilize 100 per cent recycled material.  

“Hotpack was quick to adapt to the new normal. The company updated its packaging requirements to incorporate sustainability and hygiene into its products while maintaining performance, convenience, and low cost. We have the advantage of having multiple sites, multiple products, and available capacities to cater to the growing demand. This position has given us the edge over our competition,” Abdul Jebbar added.  

“We are always ready to embrace new technologies that help us make our world a better place to live in for our children. We develop unique paper products with bio-coating, that enables the paper to be fully compostable without any further treatment. This means that should Hotpack products, unfortunately, end up in landfills or the oceans they will decompose safely,” he said. 

“Starting in Dubai, we completed 28 years of operation expanding in other markets in the Middle East, North Africa, the UK, and the United States,” he concluded.