Q1. Could you start by giving us a brief overview of your professional background, particularly focusing on your expertise in the industry?

With years of experience as a Project & Engineering Manager in the paper and paperboard manufacturing industry, I’ve been involved in everything from setting up entire plants to installing and commissioning equipment, as well as streamlining operations. My expertise covers Fourdrinier machines, stock preparation units, De-Inking Plants (DIP), film presses, and recycled fiber processing. In addition to machinery setup, I focus on Reliability Engineering, optimizing preventive maintenance (PMO), and using Computerized Maintenance Management Systems (CMMS) to get the most out of equipment. Leading major greenfield projects and equipment overhauls in Egypt has given me practical technical know-how and a strong understanding of both local markets and international equipment standards.

Q2. What structural trends are currently reshaping the paperboard and paper-based packaging industry in Egypt and the broader MENA region?

The paperboard and packaging industry in Egypt and the MENA region is experiencing a structural pivot driven by e-commerce expansion, sustainable packaging regulations, and import substitution policies. Local manufacturers are rapidly transitioning from traditional duplex boards to high-test recycled containerboard, testliner, and fluting with barrier coatings to replace single-use plastics. However, currency fluctuations and raw material availability present operational challenges. Successful regional players are responding by upgrading stock preparation lines to process lower-grade local waste paper while maintaining sheet formation quality, strength properties, and energy efficiency.  

Q3. How is the competitive landscape evolving as producers invest in higher-quality, more sustainable, and more specialized paperboard solutions?

Today, competition isn’t just about who can produce the most—it’s about who can deliver specialized, top-quality paperboard. FMCG and pharmaceutical companies now expect stronger, more printable, and more sustainable products, so paper mills have had to step up and modernize. Mills that invest in advanced sizing, film presses, and multi-ply board forming are finding themselves ahead in the premium market. This shift has created a clear divide: some producers are stuck with thin margins making basic products, while others, equipped with the latest technology, are securing long-term deals by offering consistent, high-grade boards with reliable GSM and moisture control.

Q4. What role could improvements in waste collection, recycling infrastructure, and recycled-fiber availability play in accelerating the growth of sustainable paper packaging?

Upgrading waste collection and sorting infrastructure is the single most critical enabler for sustainable packaging growth in Egypt. Currently, high contamination rates in local recycled paper (OCC/duplex scrap) reduce fiber yield and increase processing costs. Developing formalized collection networks and investing in modern mechanical sorting and washing technologies—like high-efficiency gravity thickeners and de-inking systems—will stabilize raw material supply, improve fiber length retention, reduce reliance on imported virgin pulp, and drastically lower production cost per ton.  

Q5. What technology-driven changes do you believe investors should watch most closely as the paperboard industry becomes increasingly automated and data-driven?

Investors should focus heavily on Industry 4.0 integration, specifically automated Quality Control Systems (QCS), Distributed Control Systems (DCS), and predictive maintenance sensors on critical rotating equipment. Machine learning algorithms analyzing real-time steam consumption, moisture profiles, and drive speeds are optimizing energy efficiency—a vital factor given rising energy tariffs. Furthermore, implementing CMMS with IoT-enabled condition monitoring reduces unscheduled downtime and extends machinery lifecycle, making plants significantly more attractive and resilient for institutional investors.