Hotpack aligns production as UAE prepares to implement phase two of single-use plastic ban

UAE – As the United Arab Emirates moves toward implementing the second phase of its nationwide ban on single-use plastic products from 1 January 2026, packaging manufacturers are accelerating efforts to realign materials, production processes and supply chains to comply with the expanded regulatory framework.

Among them, UAE-based packaging producer Hotpack has outlined steps it is taking to adapt its portfolio ahead of enforcement by the Ministry of Climate Change and Environment (MOCCAE).

Phase two of the regulation significantly broadens the scope of restricted products, covering a defined range of single-use consumer plastic items, including beverage cups and lids, cutlery, plates, straws, stirrers and food containers made from Styrofoam.

The policy also introduces a comprehensive ban on single-use bags below 50 microns, regardless of material type, extending restrictions to paper bags as well.

Exemptions apply to products manufactured locally using recycled content, a measure intended to support domestic recycling infrastructure and local manufacturing.

Retailers across key sectors, including hypermarkets, hotels, restaurants and foodservice chains, are preparing for the January 2026 deadline, with compliant packaging increasingly being labelled and certified in advance.

Industry participants note that current market demand is broadly balanced between recycled-content plastic packaging and alternative materials positioned as eco-friendly substitutes.

Abdul Jebbar PB, Group CEO and Managing Director of Hotpack, said the evolving regulatory framework offers long-term clarity for the packaging industry.

“The UAE’s sustainability policies set a clear pathway for manufacturers and retailers alike,” he said.

“Packaging solutions are increasingly focused on closed-loop systems, particularly products that can remain within the recycling ecosystem.”

He added that Hotpack has been preparing for the transition well ahead of enforcement. “Over the past decade, we have invested in research, development and advanced manufacturing technologies that enable the use of recycled polymers, including materials with recycled content of up to 100 per cent. This has allowed us to align our product portfolio with the forthcoming requirements.”

The second phase builds on phase one of the plastic ban, which took effect in January 2024 and prohibited the import, manufacture and trade of all types of single-use plastic shopping bags, including biodegradable variants.

Authorities have reiterated the need for full compliance by manufacturers, suppliers and establishments to support the country’s wider environmental and waste-reduction goals.

Zainudeen PB, Co-Founder and Group Executive Director of Hotpack, said the company has expanded alternative packaging formats to replace restricted single-use products.

These include solutions based on recycled polymers, paper and board, aluminium, moulded fibre, plant-based materials and other biodegradable or compostable substrates, alongside multi-use and re-washable formats for hospitality and foodservice applications.

He also highlighted ongoing challenges, noting that recycled raw materials remain more expensive than virgin inputs and that limited availability of locally produced recycled materials continues to constrain scale-up efforts.

Addressing expanded polystyrene (EPS), which faces restrictions in multiple markets globally, Anwar PB, Group Technical Director at Hotpack, said the company does not manufacture EPS products.

Instead, it has developed alternatives using H-PET and H-rPET, reducing material usage by up to 30% while maintaining recyclability and functional performance.

As the UAE advances its sustainability agenda, industry stakeholders expect the second phase of the plastic ban to further strengthen collaboration between policymakers, manufacturers, retailers and consumers, reinforcing the role of local industry in translating environmental policy into practical implementation.

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