Almarai chooses SIG for five-year expansion to enhance sustainability

MIDDLE EAST – Almarai, the Middle East’s largest dairy and food company, has announced SIG as its partner for a five-year expansion plan aimed at enhancing market leadership and driving sustainable innovation. 

This alliance highlights a shared commitment to environmental responsibility and builds on a partnership spanning two decades.

As part of this partnership, SIG will provide Almarai with flexible manufacturing solutions designed to align with the company’s sustainability goals. 

Together, the two organizations are exploring new packaging technologies to strengthen Almarai’s operational efficiency and extend its geographical reach.

The collaboration highlights SIG’s role in helping Almarai meet evolving market demands while maintaining its focus on sustainability. This move positions both companies as key drivers of innovation in the Middle East’s food and beverage sector.

“The journey with SIG has been integral to our growth. Together, we’ve delivered sustainable packaging solutions that enhance the consumer experience while supporting innovation across our expanding product lines,” Ramesh Nair, Head of Central Procurement at Almarai, emphasized the importance of the partnership.

Celebrating two decades of partnership

To commemorate 20 years of collaboration, Almarai and SIG have launched a campaign, “Pioneering Together for 20 Years”. 

The initiative celebrates their joint achievements, including innovative product launches and advanced packaging solutions, which have set industry benchmarks for quality, adaptability, and environmental stewardship.

Notable milestones in innovation

The partnership has introduced several firsts in the regional market. In 2008, Almarai became the first to launch white cheese in carton packaging, thanks to SIG’s solutions. 

Later, Almarai debuted the innovative 150mL portion packs for juices, which evolved into the popular 140mL format.

In 2021, Almarai was the first to adopt SIG Asset Health Monitoring, a condition-based maintenance solution. This technology enables online monitoring of equipment, anticipating potential issues, and recommending preventative measures to reduce downtime and optimize operations.

The partnership’s resilience was evident during the COVID-19 pandemic. SIG’s technical teams ensured uninterrupted production at Almarai’s facilities, supporting adherence to national guidelines and meeting consumer demand for fresh and packaged products.

“We are proud to support Almarai in its mission to bring nutritious and quality products to consumers. Our shared commitment to operational excellence and sustainability remains the cornerstone of our partnership,” David Kazan, Head of Markets Middle East & Pakistan at SIG, highlighted the collaboration’s impact.