Latest news with #circular economy
Emirates 24/7
13 hours ago
- Business
- Emirates 24/7
DAFZ partners with China's Zhuanzhuan Group to establish company's first regional presence
Dubai Airport Freezone (DAFZ), a member of the Dubai Integrated Economic Zones Authority (DIEZ), has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Zhuanzhuan Group, a leading Chinese firm specialising in secondhand goods trading. The agreement lays the foundation for a strategic partnership aimed at developing a cross-border supply chain for secondhand consumer goods from Dubai to the wider Middle East and global markets. This collaboration reflects DAFZ's commitment to advancing the circular economy by attracting pioneering businesses into the region and fostering a globally connected, innovation-driven business ecosystem across its economic zones. The initiative will enhance Dubai's role as a global hub for sustainable trade and reinforce its position as a key trade gateway linking Asia, Africa, and Europe. Under the terms of the MoU, signed by Arif Al Khoori, Senior Vice President - Customer Care at DAFZ and Wang Su, Corporate Vice President of Zhuanzhuan Group, the company will establish its regional headquarters within DAFZ. The facility will support a fully integrated supply chain covering recycling, quality inspection, classification, and packaging. DIEZ will provide institutional support to facilitate collaboration with logistics providers, customs authorities, clearance agents, and distribution partners, enhancing operational efficiency through flexible and effective solutions. Zhuanzhuan is among China's foremost secondhand goods platforms, boasting over 400 million registered users and more than 50 million monthly active users in 2024, with a strong presence among Gen Z consumers. The company has highly advanced technological and logistical infrastructure, operating over 960 physical stores in 80 cities. The company actively promotes circular economy initiatives, including biodegradable packaging and a cumulative reduction of more than 4.1 million tons in carbon emissions. Dubai's vision for sustainable trade Amna Lootah, Director General of DAFZ, said: 'This partnership highlights Dubai's commitment to attracting high-quality investments and enhancing its integration into global value chains, in line with our strategic objectives of positioning the emirate as a leading global hub for sustainable trade. This stems from our commitment to supporting international companies in their growth and innovation journeys, in alignment with the Dubai Economic Agenda D33 — which aims to double the size of Dubai's economy by 2033, reinforce its standing among the world's top three urban economies, and enhance its appeal as a premier global destination for business and investment.' 'Through this MoU, we are committed to streamlining procedures and fostering an enabling environment for the growth of the secondhand goods sector — particularly amid the accelerating global shift towards a circular economy. We will leverage our capabilities and networks to facilitate the establishment and operations of Zhuanzhuan, while supporting its logistics activities and distribution networks,' Lootah added. Wang Su, Corporate Vice President of Zhuanzhuan Group, said: 'We look forward to establishing new benchmarks in the secondhand goods trade across the region through this strategic partnership with DAFZ. We are confident that Dubai will serve as an ideal gateway to regional markets, thanks to its advanced infrastructure, trade facilitation services, logistical efficiency, and strategic geographic location.' Driving new business models in the circular economy The agreement also outlines plans to co-develop research and specialised working papers exploring the future of the circular economy and secondhand goods trading, with the goal of establishing best practices and sustainable benchmarks for the sector. DAFZ will provide regulatory, technical and institutional support for Zhuanzhuan Group's registration and integration within the Freezone, including facilitation of customs clearance and distribution processes, as well as introductions to key partners across Dubai's economic landscape. In turn, Zhuanzhuan Group will ensure alignment with Chinese and Dubai technical and compliance standards, while also offering DAFZ potential opportunities to establish new entities from within its global supply chain partners. This partnership is anticipated to play a key role in fostering innovative business models within the sustainable trade ecosystem, aligning with Dubai's strategic vision to advance a circular economy and support enterprises that leverage innovation to promote responsible consumption.
Emirates 24/7
3 days ago
- Business
- Emirates 24/7
Dubai Municipality and BiOD Technology sign landmark MoU
Dubai Municipality has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with BiOD Technology FZCO, a subsidiary of DUBAL Holding, marking a major stride toward advancing environmental sustainability and fostering a circular economy in the emirate. The agreement outlines strategic cooperation focused on converting used cooking oils (UCO) and fats, oils, and grease (FOG) into B100 biodiesel, a clean and renewable fuel. The MoU was signed in the presence of senior officials including Fahad Al-Awadhi, Director of Sewerage and Recycled Water Projects Department at Dubai Municipality; Yousef Bastaki, Board Member of BiOD Technology; and Shiva Viga, CEO of BiOD Technology. The collaboration aligns with Dubai's long-term sustainability strategies, supports local green economy growth, and strengthens the emirate's transition to cleaner energy sources. As per the terms of the MoU, BiOD Technology is authorised to collect UCO and FOG from across Dubai and process them into biodiesel. The initiative not only helps prevent these waste materials from polluting the sewage infrastructure, but also significantly reduces the environmental footprint and operational costs associated with wastewater treatment. Adel Al Marzooqi, CEO of the Waste and Sewerage Agency at Dubai Municipality, said: 'This partnership represents a significant step in our mission to advance Dubai's environmental agenda through innovative and sustainable waste-to-energy solutions. By turning waste into a valuable energy resource, we not only protect vital infrastructure and reduce environmental risks but also contribute effectively to achieving the goals outlined in Dubai's Vision 2030 for environmental sustainability.' Ahmed bin Fahad Al Muhairi, Chairman of the Board of BioD Technology, stated: 'We are pleased to collaborate with Dubai Municipality on this initiative, a partnership that underscores our mutual commitment to sustainable innovation. At BiOD Technology, our focus is on implementing practical, impactful solutions that contribute to tangible environmental improvements and advance Dubai's circular economy goals. Moreover, in partnership with like-minded entities, we strive to build a service ecosystem dedicated to making a positive global impact.' Shiva Vig, CEO of BiOD Technology, added: 'Leveraging cutting-edge technology and deep industry expertise, we are transforming UCO and FOG into high-quality, renewable biodiesel. This partnership marks an exciting step forward, and we are eager to expand our efforts into broader initiatives that promote sustainable waste management and innovative recycling solutions.' The MoU represents a significant step forward in public-private collaboration, paving the way for scalable and high-impact environmental solutions that promote the circular economy and protect Dubai's infrastructure and environment.
Times of Oman
23-07-2025
- Politics
- Times of Oman
Environment Authority participates in high-level political forum on sustainable development
New York: The Environment Authority on Wednesday took part in the "2025 High-level Political Forum on Sustainable Development" in New York. The forum was held in New York under the theme "Advancing sustainable, inclusive, science- and evidence-based solutions for the 2030 Agenda and its SDGs for leaving no one behind". The Sultanate of Oman's delegation was led by Dr. Abdullah Ali Al Amri, Chairman of the Environment Authority, who heads the 7th session of the United Nations Environment Assembly (UNEA-7). The forum focused on practical, data-driven strategies to bridge implementation gaps, notably amid interconnected global crises, including climate change, inequality and economic instability. In a speech at the forum, Al Amri laid emphasis on the seventh session of the United Nations Environment Assembly (UNEA-7), scheduled to be held in Nairobi in December 2025. He said that the UNEA-7 constitutes a 'global opportunity to accelerate sustainable, knowledge-based solutions for a resilient planet." Al Amri underscored the need to devise environmental solutions with special focus on the interconnectedness that exists between environmental challenges and public health. He stressed the need to embrace an integrated approach—like "One Health" principle—to effectively address these challenges. He also underlined the importance of adopting a comprehensive approach to address environmental issues and espousing circular economy as a key factor to achieve sustainable production and consumption. In this context, he called upon countries to incorporate such solutions into their national policies. Al Amri highlighted the progress made in negotiations on the convention to control plastic pollution. He stressed the need to ratify international agreements to protect marine biodiversity beyond areas of national jurisdiction, in addition to cooperation between the United Nations Environment Assembly and parties tasked with multilateral environmental agreements to ensure effective environmental governance. The speech also undersored the urgent need to reform the global financial structure and provide sustainable and innovative financing mechanisms to support sustainable economic and environmental models. Al Amri pointed out that areas affected by wars and conflicts should be included in efforts to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals, as part of measures to support peace and environmental justice. At the conclusion of his speech, Al Amri underlined the importance of dialogue and understanding as the best means of achieving rapprochement at a time the international community is joining hands to ensure a sustainable future for all. On the sidelines of the forum, Al Amri conferred with the President of the United Nations General Assembly. The meeting touched on ways to enhance international environmental action and highlighted the Sultanate of Oman's role in advancing the global agenda on sustainability. Al Amri also held a meeting with the Hungarian Minister of Environment. The meeting discussed bilateral and regional cooperation in the field of environment and sustainable development. The two sides spoke about preparations for the forthcoming seventh session of the United Nations Environment Assembly. Acting in cooperation with Environment Society of Oman, the Environment Authority also participated in an event on the sidelines of the forum. The event was aimed to enhance the role of youth in climate action and marine environment protection, in line with the Sustainable Development Goals, including Goal 13 on climate action, Goal 14 on Life Below Water and Goal 17 on "Partnerships for the Goals".
Zawya
21-07-2025
- Automotive
- Zawya
Emirates NBD launches summer credit card campaign with a chance to win a Tesla Model 3 Performance
Riyadh, Saudi Arabia – Emirates NBD, the leading banking group in the MENAT (Middle East, North Africa and Turkey) region, has unveiled an exciting new summer credit card campaign in Saudi Arabia, giving customers the opportunity to win one of three Tesla Model 3 Performance vehicles through a lucky draw. Running from June 24 to August 22, 2025, the campaign is open to both new and existing Emirates NBD credit cardholders in the Kingdom. Customers can enter the draw simply by applying for or using an Emirates NBD credit card during the campaign period. The initiative highlights Emirates NBD's continued commitment to offering innovative, rewarding financial experiences while supporting the Kingdom's ambitious goal of achieving 30% electric vehicle adoption by 2030. By promoting electric vehicle (EV) adoption, the campaign not only incentivizes card usage but also raises awareness of the importance of sustainable living and the circular economy and represents a tangible step towards accelerating the shift to greener transportation. Emirates NBD has been at the forefront of sustainability in the banking sector, with a growing number of its Saudi branches achieving LEED® Gold certifications. The bank currently operates 22 branches across the Kingdom, catering to salaried individuals, high-net-worth clients, and business owners. As part of its vision to be the most innovative financial institution serving customers, people, and communities, Emirates NBD continues to expand access to its full suite of offerings—including Priority Banking, Private Banking, Business Banking, and Corporate Banking—designed to meet the evolving needs of the Saudi market. The launch of Summer Credit Card Campaign marks another milestone in Emirates NBD's journey toward creating meaningful customer engagement and supporting the Kingdom's transformation agenda. To learn more about Emirates NBD – KSA and the bank's new summer campaign, please visit:
Yahoo
21-07-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Specialty Papers Global Market Report 2026-2036, with Comprehensive Profiles of 37 Leading Specialty Papers Manufacturers and Technology Providers
As pivotal enablers of the circular economy, specialty papers are driving the sustainable packaging revolution. The market is witnessing innovations with advanced materials, including the integration of nanocellulose technologies like MFC and CNF, offering strength and eco-friendly alternatives to traditional materials. Regulatory pressures, particularly in Europe, are accelerating this transition towards mono-material and recyclable solutions. Smart manufacturing tech, e-commerce demands, and luxury packaging trends further influence market dynamics. The next decade promises rapid evolution in the specialty papers industry as it embraces technological and sustainable innovations while aligning with global regulatory standards. Dublin, July 21, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The "Global Specialty Papers Market 2026-2036" report has been added to offering. The global specialty papers market stands at a pivotal juncture, experiencing transformation driven by sustainability imperatives, technological breakthroughs, and evolving consumer demands. Specialty papers are emerging as critical enablers of the circular economy and sustainable packaging revolution. Flexible packaging remains the dominant segment, reflecting the sustained shift toward convenient, lightweight packaging solutions. However, the market's true innovation lies not in traditional segments but in the integration of advanced materials and bio-based technologies that are redefining paper performance capabilities. Unlike commodity papers, specialty grades are engineered for specific applications, incorporating sophisticated coatings, treatments, and nano-enhanced materials that deliver targeted functionality. The most significant technological advancement is the commercial integration of nanocellulose technologies. Microfibrillated cellulose (MFC) and cellulose nanofibers (CNF) are transitioning from laboratory curiosities to industrial-scale production, offering unprecedented strength enhancement, barrier properties, and sustainable alternatives to petroleum-based additives. These materials can improve tensile strength by up to 50% while maintaining biodegradability, addressing the dual challenge of performance and environmental responsibility. Bio-based barrier coatings represent another major innovation, with seaweed-derived alginates, protein-based formulations, and modified starches providing grease and moisture resistance comparable to traditional synthetic coatings. These developments are particularly crucial as food packaging regulations tighten globally, demanding safer, more sustainable solutions without compromising functionality. Security papers are experiencing a technological renaissance through digital integration, incorporating micro-QR codes, blockchain verification, and advanced watermarking techniques that combat increasingly sophisticated counterfeiting attempts. The convergence of physical and digital security features is creating new opportunities in authentication and brand protection. Environmental regulations are fundamentally restructuring market dynamics, with the European Union's packaging directive and similar legislation worldwide mandating recyclability targets exceeding 70% by 2030. This regulatory pressure is accelerating innovation in monomaterial packaging solutions, where specialty papers replace multi-layer plastic-paper composites that are difficult to recycle. The shift toward circular economy principles is driving investment in closed-loop production systems, advanced fiber recycling technologies, and bio-based raw materials. Companies are increasingly sourcing alternative fibers from agricultural residues, including rice straw, wheat chaff, and sugarcane bagasse, reducing dependence on virgin wood fiber while creating value-added applications for agricultural waste streams. Smart manufacturing technologies are revolutionizing specialty paper production through real-time quality monitoring, predictive maintenance, and AI-driven process optimization. Machine learning algorithms now optimize coating formulations, predict defect formation, and minimize waste generation, improving both economic and environmental performance. Digital printing compatibility is becoming a standard requirement, with papers engineered for high-resolution inkjet and electrophotographic applications supporting the growth of on-demand, personalized packaging. The next decade promises accelerated market evolution driven by converging trends. E-commerce growth is fueling demand for protective packaging papers with enhanced cushioning and moisture resistance. The luxury packaging segment is embracing tactile innovations, including papers with embedded fragrances, texture variations, and color-changing properties that enhance unboxing experiences. Emerging applications in electrical papers for battery separators and insulation materials position specialty papers at the intersection of traditional papermaking and energy storage technologies. As electric vehicle adoption accelerates, demand for high-performance electrical papers is expected to grow exponentially. The specialty papers market is transitioning from a mature, commodity-driven industry to a technology-intensive sector characterized by rapid innovation cycles and premium value propositions. Success will depend on companies' ability to integrate advanced materials science, sustainable production methods, and digital technologies while maintaining cost competitiveness. Investment priorities are shifting toward R&D capabilities, pilot-scale testing facilities, and strategic partnerships with technology providers. The market's future belongs to companies that can navigate the complex intersection of performance, sustainability, and regulatory compliance while delivering innovative solutions that meet evolving customer needs in an increasingly environmentally conscious marketplace. The Global Specialty Papers Market 2026-2036 report delivers unprecedented insights into a market projected to reach significant growth through sustainable innovation, advanced materials integration, and evolving regulatory landscapes. This report provides exhaustive analysis of market dynamics driving the specialty papers industry from 2026 to 2036, encompassing regulatory compliance impacts, sustainability mandates, and technological disruptions. The research delivers granular market forecasts across all major product categories, regional markets, and application segments, enabling stakeholders to identify high-growth opportunities and strategic investment priorities. Comprehensive coverage includes market sizing, competitive positioning, supply chain analysis, and technology roadmaps essential for strategic decision-making in this rapidly evolving sector. Report contents include: Global market size and growth projections with detailed volume and value forecasts Market segmentation analysis across 35 specialty paper categories Regional distribution covering North America, Europe, Asia-Pacific, Latin America, and Middle East & Africa Competitive landscape assessment featuring market share analysis and strategic positioning Market Drivers & Technology Trends: Sustainable packaging solutions driving regulatory compliance and recyclability targets Advanced bio-based materials including microfibrillated cellulose (MFC) and cellulose nanofibers (CNF) Digital integration and Industry 4.0 technologies transforming manufacturing processes E-commerce growth impacts on packaging requirements and last-mile delivery solutions Security and anti-counterfeiting technologies incorporating digital integration features Comprehensive Product Analysis: Decor Papers: Wallpaper base paper, coverings paper with detailed geographic market forecasts Flexible Packaging Papers: Metallizing base paper, waxing base paper, laminating base paper, machine glazed paper, greaseproof paper, parchment paper, twisting paper, and C1S packaging paper Printing Label Papers: Specialty uncoated label paper, specialty C1S label paper, and release liner paper Printing Papers: Cover latex saturated and non-latex paper, photographic paper, thermal paper, binder's board, fine art paper, and opaque lightweight paper Filtration Papers: Engine/automotive filtration paper, coffee filter paper, tea filter paper, industrial filter paper, and laboratory filter paper Electrical Papers: Insulation paper, battery separators, and cable paper with emerging applications in energy storage Security Papers: Currency paper, check paper, ticket paper, and postage stamp paper featuring advanced anti-counterfeiting technologies Other Specialty Papers: Glassine, tracing paper, synthetic paper, cigarette paper, creped decorative paper, and gift-wrap paper Advanced Materials & Innovation: Microfibrillated Cellulose (MFC) production technologies, feedstock sources, and application enhancement Cellulose Nanofibers (CNF) production methods, pretreatment technologies, and polymer composite systems Cellulose Nanocrystals (CNC) synthesis, surface modification technologies, and commercial viability analysis Bacterial Nanocellulose (BNC) applications in high-purity medical papers and audio applications Bio-based coating technologies including seaweed-based, protein-based, and polysaccharide coating systems Hybrid material systems combining nanocellulose with inorganic materials Technology & Manufacturing Intelligence: Advanced papermaking technologies including multi-layer forming systems and foam forming technology Coating and converting technologies featuring precision coating systems and barrier coating technologies Digital integration and Industry 4.0 implementation with IoT sensor integration and predictive maintenance systems Sustainable production methods encompassing energy efficiency, water management, and chemical recovery technologies Quality enhancement technologies and process optimization innovations Technical Specifications & Engineering: Process engineering and optimization covering stock preparation, forming, dewatering, pressing, and drying systems Material science and chemistry analysis including fiber chemistry modification and additive chemistry Supply chain analysis and regulatory environment assessment Market challenges, opportunities, and investment requirements analysis The report features comprehensive profiles of 37 leading specialty papers manufacturers and technology providers. Each profile includes strategic positioning, product portfolios, technological capabilities, financial performance, and market expansion strategies. Company Coverage Includes: Ahlstrom-Munksjo Asia Pulp & Paper BiOrigin Specialty Products Copamex Crane & Co. Delfort Group Dispapali Domtar Corporation Drewzen DuPont Fedrigoni Group Felix Schoeller Group Giesecke Devrient Glatfelter Gruppo Cordenons Hollingsworth & Vose Company Huhtamaki International Paper Company James Cropper KRPA Paper Landqart Lecta Mativ Holdings Metsa Tissue Mondi Group Nippon Paper Industries Co. Ltd. Nordic Paper Oji Holdings Corporation PALM Group Papeteries de Vizille Pixelle Sappi Limited Smurfit WestRock Stora Enso For more information about this report visit About is the world's leading source for international market research reports and market data. We provide you with the latest data on international and regional markets, key industries, the top companies, new products and the latest trends. 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