CPA and MCBG sign agreement to support packaging circularity in the UAE

The Circular Packaging Association (CPA) and the Multinational Companies Business Group (MCBG) have signed a memorandum of understanding to strengthen collaboration around packaging circularity in the United Arab Emirates.

The partnership combines CPA’s technical expertise in circular packaging with MCBG’s network of 57 multinational companies, creating a platform for knowledge exchange, evidence-based discussion and the development of practical approaches to more sustainable packaging systems.

The agreement was signed by Mohamed Ali Eldabaa, chairman of CPA, and Turki Bin Moammar, chairperson of MCBG.

Partnership focuses on knowledge sharing and practical implementation

Under the agreement, the two organisations will collaborate across areas including knowledge sharing, thought leadership, awareness, advocacy and stakeholder engagement.

They also plan to examine international experience and packaging circularity practices from other markets, assessing how relevant approaches could be adapted to the UAE’s regulatory environment, business requirements and sustainability objectives.

The initiative is intended to create additional opportunities for multinational businesses and other industry stakeholders to discuss circular economy priorities and identify measures that can be implemented across packaging supply chains.

Multinational businesses bring cross-market experience

MCBG’s membership gives the partnership access to companies operating across multiple markets and regulatory systems, providing insight into how different approaches to packaging policy, recycling and circularity are being implemented internationally.

This experience could help connect sustainability targets with practical decisions around investment, product design, innovation, supply chains and operations within the UAE.

CPA, meanwhile, was established as a cross-sector platform focused on transforming the packaging value chain and supporting a transition away from linear models in which packaging is produced, used and discarded.

The association promotes approaches that treat post-consumer packaging as a resource while supporting industry dialogue around recycling, policy development and sustainable packaging regulation.

UAE continues to develop its circular packaging framework

The new partnership comes as the UAE continues to expand its circular economy agenda and strengthen collaboration between government, industry and packaging stakeholders.

For packaging producers and brand owners, this transition increasingly involves not only material changes but also greater attention to design for recyclability, recycled content, collection infrastructure, extended producer responsibility and the development of viable end markets for recovered materials.

By bringing technical packaging expertise together with the operational experience of multinational businesses, CPA and MCBG aim to help translate broader circular economy ambitions into approaches that can be applied at commercial scale.