‘Thanks in part to the government's efforts to modernize various sectors, especially in the context of Vision 2030, Saudi Arabia is rapidly catching up in adopting digital technologies. There is also increased interest in eco-friendly printing solutions, driving innovation in both digital and offset segments. Saudi Arabia has a large market for both digital and offset printing due to the size of its population. However, digital printing is growing as the market diversifies and businesses increasingly look for flexibility.’

 

Excerpts from the interview below:

 

1) Can you explain the trends in packaging printing in Saudi Arabia for the next two years? Five years? Will flexo continue to grow or are customers now asking for digital printing too?

 

Packaging is becoming an important marketing tool for e-commerce businesses, and as e-commerce businesses are growing in Saudi Arabia, the packaging industry will continue to grow as well.

 

We expect to see several trends over the following years, like sustainability and eco-friendly packaging. This includes biodegradable materials, recyclable packaging and the use of sustainable inks. Saudi Arabia's Vision 2030 goals, which focus on environmental sustainability, will further push businesses to adopt greener packaging solutions.

 

There will be a rise in demand for high-end packaging in sectors like cosmetics, perfumes, and premium food products. Premium packaging solutions, such as embossing, metallic finishes and soft-touch coatings will be employed to cater to the luxury market.

We also expect growth in smart packaging solutions, such as QR codes, NFC tags and augmented reality (AR) features.

 

Regarding flexo, I believe that it will remain strong for high-volume production. Its speed and cost-effectiveness for long print runs make it a popular choice.

 

On the other hand, digital printing is gaining momentum as customers increasingly demand more flexible, customizable, and sustainable solutions. Digital printing technology, which allows for cost-effective short-run printing and personalization, will grow in popularity. This trend caters to the increasing demand for customized packaging and regional marketing campaigns.

 

I believe digital printing will offer more premium packaging solutions in the future, which will attract a large number of customers who are looking for luxury packaging but in smaller batches.

 

2) Since you must be participating in trade shows or visiting trade shows - what technology has excited you as being a game changer? or giving value to customers?

 

Yes, I always try to visit the industry trade shows, and there are a lot of exciting things we can talk about. Still, as my focus is more on the digital side, I can see advancements in digital printing technologies, including high volume Inkjet printers, label printers, and textile printers.

 

Automation in workflows and smart packaging is also exciting. Features like QR codes, NFC tags, or even AR, allow consumers to engage with products via smartphones. This kind of feature provides a lot of value to customers.

 

There's a strong push toward sustainability, with new biodegradable and non-toxic inks, recycled paper, and energy-efficient printing methods becoming more common.

 

Papers also play a massive role in creating the momentum. We see many advancements in papers, including sustainable, eco-friendly, and premium packaging papers, designed for high-end packaging, such as luxury boxes, food packaging, and retail packaging.

 

3) Are there any sustainable initiatives undertaken by Zeej?

 

We have already taken some steps, such as deploying an LED UV offset press and HP Latex digital printers. We also promote recyclable and FSC-certified paper.

 

Ninety-five percent of our production comes from on-demand printing, reducing waste and eliminating the need for excessive inventory and overproduction.