Gulf Print and Pack expo debuts in Saudi Arabia

Gulf Print and Pack’s debut event in Riyadh is poised to play a pivotal role in advancing the region’s printing and packaging industries while aligning with Saudi vision 2030 goals. (Supplied/AN photos)
1 / 2
Gulf Print and Pack’s debut event in Riyadh is poised to play a pivotal role in advancing the region’s printing and packaging industries while aligning with Saudi vision 2030 goals. (Supplied/AN photos)
Gulf Print and Pack expo debuts in Saudi Arabia
2 / 2
Gulf Print and Pack’s debut event in Riyadh is poised to play a pivotal role in advancing the region’s printing and packaging industries while aligning with Saudi vision 2030 goals. (Supplied/AN photos)
Short Url
Updated 14 January 2025
Follow

Gulf Print and Pack expo debuts in Saudi Arabia

Gulf Print and Pack expo debuts in Saudi Arabia
  • Event aligns with Kingdom’s goal of replacing imports with domestic production

RIYADH: Gulf Print and Pack 2025 debuted in Saudi Arabia on Tuesday, highlighting the latest technologies, innovations and sustainable solutions from over 150 exhibitors.

The event is poised to play a pivotal role in advancing the region’s printing and packaging industries while aligning with Saudi Vision 2030 goals.




The focus on digital technologies as a key theme for the event, emphasizing their transformative potential for the industry. (AN photo by Ghadi Joudah)

Event director Barry Killengrey told Arab News that hosting GPP in Saudi Arabia was a long-standing aspiration for the organizers. He said its expansion was made possible by a partnership with Informa Tahaluf, a company with a local presence.

“The GPP event in Dubai runs every two years, so this was a timely fashion where we could effectively have one event each year,” he said. “So 2025 was a focus on Saudi Arabia, especially as it aligns with the country’s goal to replace imports with domestic production.”




Gulf Print and Pack’s debut event in Riyadh is poised to play a pivotal role in advancing the region’s printing and packaging industries while aligning with Saudi vision 2030 goals. (AN photo by Ghadi Joudah)

The event seeks to encourage collaboration and innovation within the commercial printing and packaging sectors, particularly in developing markets like Saudi Arabia. Killengrey said it created vast opportunities across the printing and packaging spectrum.

“In such markets, industries are more fluid compared to the highly specialized and consolidated markets in developed regions,” he explained, adding that commercial printers might move into packaging, and packaging converters might also have a commercial print business.

This isn’t just about showcasing technology. It’s about creating opportunities, driving growth and shaping the future of an industry that is vital to the region’s economic development.

Barry Killengrey, Gulf Print and Pack 2025 event director

“These industries are highly entrepreneurial and tend to seize faster-growing opportunities,” he said.




Barry Killengrey, Gulf Print and Pack 2025 event director

Killengrey also highlighted the crossover between packaging machinery and printing operations.

“For instance, co-packers often print their own packaging materials, and brand owners or specifiers seek events where they can explore a wide range of machinery applications and market opportunities,” he told Arab News.




Gulf Print and Pack’s debut event in Riyadh is poised to play a pivotal role in advancing the region’s printing and packaging industries while aligning with Saudi vision 2030 goals. (AN photo by Ghadi Joudah)

The next generation was also creating a much better appetite for longevity in printing and sustainability. Whether it was direct mail, menus or advertising, a focus on sustainable products was key, he added, acknowledging the challenges faced by global brands — particularly in the food and beverage industries — to adopt sustainable practices.

Killengrey said the expo addressed these by emphasizing innovation, design, shorter production runs and the use of diverse, environmentally friendly materials.

He added rapid advancements in digital printing and packaging technologies were expected to grow significantly over the next five to 10 years.

The event also features innovations in digital embellishment, automation and pre-and post-press workflows, offering attendees insights into the latest capabilities in flexible packaging, plate-making, cutting machines, folding machines, and corrugation technologies.

Digital technology is a key theme for the event, emphasizing their transformative potential for the industry.

“This isn’t just about showcasing technology,” Killengrey said. “It’s about creating opportunities, driving growth and shaping the future of an industry that is vital to the region’s economic development.”

 


Madinah launches portal for iftar providers

People pray at the Prophet’s Mosque in Madinah. (@wmngovsa)
People pray at the Prophet’s Mosque in Madinah. (@wmngovsa)
Updated 1 min 49 sec ago
Follow

Madinah launches portal for iftar providers

People pray at the Prophet’s Mosque in Madinah. (@wmngovsa)
  • The list of approved companies will be provided after data updates to finalize contracts and issue electronic permits

RIYADH: The General Authority for the Care of the Affairs of the Grand Mosque and the Prophet’s Mosque has launched an online portal for iftar service providers at the Prophet’s Mosque in Madinah to update their information for Ramadan.

According to the authority, updating data is mandatory to continue service, along with contracting approved catering companies and complying with iftar service guidelines.

The list of approved companies will be provided after data updates to finalize contracts and issue electronic permits, the Saudi Press Agency reported.

Last month, the authority also launched a portal for charitable organizations and individuals to apply for iftar meal services inside the Grand Mosque in Makkah during Ramadan.

The service allows the selection of meal sites, with one meal site per person and 10 sites allocated for charitable organizations.

The authority highlighted the need to provide low-calorie meals for individuals with chronic diseases and diabetes.


Global Healthspan Summit opens in Riyadh, exploring new approaches to aging

Global Healthspan Summit opens in Riyadh, exploring new approaches to aging
Updated 1 min 3 sec ago
Follow

Global Healthspan Summit opens in Riyadh, exploring new approaches to aging

Global Healthspan Summit opens in Riyadh, exploring new approaches to aging
  • Panel session delves into the latest advances in extending the healthy lifespan of humans
  • Summit runs until Wednesday at the Four Season Hotel Riyadh

RIYADH: The Global Healthspan Summit in Riyadh opened on Tuesday focused on the latest advancements in extending the healthy lifespan of humans.

In an interview with Arab News on the sidelines of the summit, Rakan W. Tarabzoni, chief operating officer of the Future Investment Initiative Institute, spoke about a health initiative that the organization introduced in Oct. 2024.

“We want all companies, all the hiring institutions to provide health checkups for the individuals, which means healthier employees, which means more productive employees, which means successful entities or companies,” he said.

“That will only happen if we help people to do preventive checkups before having to help them deal with the diseases after they happen.”

One of the key sessions on the opening day, “Science Beyond the Hallmarks of Aging: Exposomes, Microbiomes, Sexual Dimorphism, and Scientific Investigations around Healthspan,” delved into the latest advancements in understanding aging.

Dr. Felipe Sierra, chief science officer of the Hevolution Foundation, led the opening statement, setting the stage for an exploration of how recent scientific investigations are reshaping our comprehension of aging.

Dr. Dena Dubal, professor of neurology at the University of California, focused on the communication between different organs and their role in aging.

She emphasized the importance of studying these interactions rather than isolating individual organs.

Dubal said: “It’s fascinating to explore how different organs communicate. For instance, what signals does the kidney send to the brain.”

Her recent work highlights how biological sex impacts aging and health.

Dubal said: “True sex differences exist. For example, women live longer than men across the globe, and understanding the resilience behind this could lead to new medicines for both sexes.”

This understanding could lead to innovative treatments tailored for both genders, she said.

The session was moderated by Dr. Sebastien Thuault, chief editor of Nature Aging.

The summit, of which Arab News is a media partner, runs until Wednesday at the Four Seasons Hotel Riyadh.

Dr. Paul D. Robbins, associate director of the Institute on the Biology of Aging & Metabolism at the University of Minnesota, discussed the concept of cellular senescence, a state where cells stop dividing and contribute to aging and disease.

He noted: “Senescence is a hallmark of aging, and targeting these cells could potentially slow aging and extend healthspan.”

Robbins mentioned a significant initiative funded to map senescent cells across human tissues, aiming to identify which cells to target for therapeutic intervention.

Dr. James Kirkland, director of the Center for Gerotherapeutics at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, highlighted pressing health issues in Saudi Arabia, stating: “There are two main diseases related to cell senescence that are now considered leading causes of death for both males and females.

“A leading cause of death for males is heart failure with preserved ejection fraction, for which there is no effective treatment. It’s a senescence-driven disorder along with fibrosis.”

He continued: “The leading cause of death for women in Saudi Arabia is triple-negative breast cancer.

“New drugs, including a class called senolytics, which the Hevolution Foundation is funding studies for, may make inroads against this deadly form of cancer.”

Kirkland pointed to increasing mortality rates from disorders related to exposomes, emphasizing the need for further investigation into these trends.

Dr. Pinchas Cohen, dean of the Leonard Davis School of Gerontology at the University of Southern California, advocated for more personalized approaches to health and aging.

He stressed: “We need individualized lifestyle interventions rather than a one-size-fits-all model. The Mediterranean diet, while beneficial, may not be effective for every population.”

His research emphasized the importance of tailoring interventions to individual genetic backgrounds and lifestyles to maximize their potential.

Cohen also highlighted mitochondrial health. He said: “By understanding mitochondrial DNA mutations and their effects on metabolism, we can develop targeted therapies that address the root causes of age-related diseases.”

Dr. Eric Verdin, CEO and president of the Buck Institute, discussed the evolution of biomarkers in aging research.

He noted: “Advancements in technology allow for the analysis of thousands of variables, which could revolutionize how we predict responses to treatments.”

Verdin also described how wearable technology is now being integrated into health monitoring: “These devices could serve as valuable biomarkers, providing real-time data on health status and aging.”

Sierra concluded the session by emphasizing the transformative potential of ongoing research in aging.

“We are on the brink of a revolution, fueled by new technologies and a deeper understanding of aging processes,” he said.

The summit will continue with discussions focusing on how researchers are continuing to unravel the intricacies of aging, and exploring the potential for novel interventions that improve quality of life for aging populations.


Saudi Crown Prince briefs cabinet on meeting with Syrian president

Saudi Crown Prince briefs cabinet on meeting with Syrian president
Updated 16 min 30 sec ago
Follow

Saudi Crown Prince briefs cabinet on meeting with Syrian president

Saudi Crown Prince briefs cabinet on meeting with Syrian president

Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman on Tuesday briefed the cabinet on his recent diplomatic engagements, beginning with his meeting with Ahmad al-Sharaa, President of the Syrian Arab Republic.

The crown prince outlined the key points of their discussions, which centered on regional stability and enhancing bilateral cooperation.

The crown prince also shared details from his meeting with Frank-Walter Steinmeier, President of the Federal Republic of Germany, where the focus was on strengthening ties between the two nations.

The crown prince updated the cabinet on a telephone call he received from Antonio, President of the European Council, during which they discussed matters of mutual interest and ongoing diplomatic efforts in Europe.

 


National creativity olympiad begins in Riyadh

National creativity olympiad begins in Riyadh
Updated 28 min 56 sec ago
Follow

National creativity olympiad begins in Riyadh

National creativity olympiad begins in Riyadh

RIYADH: The 15th annual National Olympiad for Scientific Creativity, or Ibdaa, has begun at the Imam Mohammed bin Saud Islamic University conference center in Riyadh.

The event is organized in partnership with the Ministry of Education and the King Abdulaziz and His Companions Foundation for Giftedness and Creativity, known as Mawhiba, and will run until Feb. 6.

The olympiad features 200 research and innovation projects submitted by students across 22 scientific fields, the Saudi Press Agency reported on Tuesday.

The projects were selected from more than 23,000 entries received during earlier stages of the competition, SPA added.

A five-member judging committee, supported by an AI component for greater accuracy, will select 68 winning projects from the 200 submissions across four categories — health and wellness, environmental sustainability and essential needs, energy and industrial leadership, and economies of the future.

Winners will represent Saudi Arabia in international and regional exhibitions and competitions, including the Regeneron International Science and Engineering Fair in the US, ITEX in Malaysia, and TISF in Taiwan.


‘Attractive’ Red Sea sites for solar, wind energy storage found

‘Attractive’ Red Sea sites for solar, wind energy storage found
Updated 04 February 2025
Follow

‘Attractive’ Red Sea sites for solar, wind energy storage found

‘Attractive’ Red Sea sites for solar, wind energy storage found
  • KAUST study identifies 2 sites, at estimated cost of $16.5bn
  • Plan for energy sources to benefit Saudi water management

RIYADH: Scientists at a top Saudi Arabia university have identified several locations across the Kingdom that would be ideal for the storage of solar and wind energy, which would ultimately benefit water management and food security, the institution stated on Monday.

The King Abdullah University of Science and Technology study identified 10 sites but said two Red Sea ones were the most feasible after several scientific and economic factors were taken into account.

The two “attractive” locations require an investment of around $16.5 billion but more research is needed to evaluate their feasibility.

This is according to the study titled “The potential role of seasonal pumped hydropower storage in decarbonizing the power sector in Saudi Arabia.”

The study conducted by Yoshihide Wada, Julian Hunt and colleagues is already available on the website of the Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews journal.

The researchers stated that the storage sites could “potentially contribute to the decarbonization of the power sector in Saudi Arabia and the balancing of the electricity grid as part of a full suite of energy storage options.”

The scientists looked at the potential for seasonal hydro storage of desalinated water and the role it can play in meeting the high summer electricity and water demand in the Kingdom.

“The Kingdom is rich in solar and wind power potential. We are interested in determining how transitioning to these two renewable energy sources can benefit water management in the Kingdom,” said Wada.

As a part of the wide-ranging Saudi Vision 2030 plan, the Kingdom plans to source at least 50 percent of its electricity from renewables by 2030 and achieve net-zero emissions by 2060, in an effort to reduce its carbon footprint and promote sustainable development.

To reach that goal there would need to be a considerable change in the power industry, KAUST stated. The sector was responsible for “around half of the carbon dioxide emissions by the Kingdom in 2022.”

Renewable energy is a part of Saudi Arabia’s long-term sustainability vision, but storing the resource for times of high need still remains a challenge.

“Electricity consumption almost doubles in some years from the winter to summer months, which gives tremendous value for infrastructure that can keep energy stored in the cooler months from solar and wind and use the energy to generate electricity in the hotter months,” the release said.

There have been investments in battery storage solutions, but these can only store energy over daily cycles.

“For longer, seasonal cycles, seasonal pumped hydropower storage is under consideration. Here, desalinated water can be stored in reservoirs in high mountains and released upon demand to generate power and supply water.”

But with each seasonal pumped hydropower storage site costing around $10 billion, finding the most appropriate locations for construction is crucial.

Factors such as evaporation of the stored water, the salinity of the water, and the feasibility of building solar or wind plants nearby, were studied by the scientists.

“These storage sites have extraordinary upfront investments, so their value must be estimated as accurately as possible. Our study incorporates water management into the design, giving a more holistic estimate on how large-scale projects support the adoption of renewables in Saudi Arabia,” said Hunt.