Based in Abu Dhabi, Star Paper Mill Paper Industry LLC is one of the main manufacturers of tissue paper for facial, toilet and domestic use in the UAE region. Chairman Hussain Adam Ali and Managing Director Majid Rasheed highlighted the company’s sustainable journey. Report by Phil Nicholls.
Bu siness at Star Paper Mill Paper Industry LLC (SPML) is fuelled by innovation and sustainability.
“Our goal is to create a holistic approach to sustainability, where every aspect of our business – from production through distribution to customer engagement – is aligned with our commitment to environmental
stewardship and social responsibility,” explained Managing Director Majid Rasheed. “We strive to set new industry benchmarks and continuously raise the bar for sustainable practices within our sector.”
Founded in 2016, SPML began operation in 2019, with more than 100 employees, and a production capacity of 40,000 tonnes per year. The
company now supplies many worldclass brands.
SPML specialises in value added products such as low gsm facial tissue, ultra-soft and smooth tissue, lotionised tissue with satin finish, multicolour printable white napkin tissue, bonded napkin tissue and very tough wet-strength towels. The company manufactures ‘Prime Quality’ soft hygiene tissue paper in jumbo rolls from 100% virgin pulp in various grades
Thanks to the personalised and prompt service offered by the team, SPML is
considered a preferred supplier by customers. Keeping a flexible business margin, the company manufactures tissue paper according to each customer’s requirements
“We also offer a comprehensive after-sales service, such as following up with the clients to ensure the smooth operation of our tissue rolls on their machine,” continued Mr Rasheed. “We also inform our clients of any helpful new developments in the tissue market locally and internationally.”
Sustainable growth
In an exciting development, SPML is expanding its production capacities, having signed a lease agreement with KEZAD, Abu Dhabi. This collaboration will establish a new facility for manufacturing recycled Kraft Paper Jumbo reels, enabling the company to meet the growing demand for biodegradable packaging papers in the UAE. With an investment of AED 200 million, this partnership with RC Paper Machines will expand the existing capacities into a 59,000 sqm site.
“In line with the vision of the UAE’s leaders, we believe that to be successful and create long-term value in the future, being sustainable and adopting a circular system is vital,” said Chairman Hussain Adam Ali. “We are using this opportunity as a huge advantage for us to create products to achieve reduced carbon emissions and operate as a sustainable industry.”
Mr Rasheed agreed, emphasising the potential of the new facility: “The KEZAD economic zone has a unique eco-system, strategic location, world-class infrastructure and
integration with the region’s fastest growing port. The location gives SPML excellent global connectivity to our key consumer markets. We strongly believe this project will effectively make Star Paper Mill’s products a household n ame for global consumers.”
SPML’s new site will manufacture the paper used for producing corrugated cartons and highly sought-after, 100% eco-friendly biodegradable bag papers using recycled raw materials. This is part of the company’s unwavering commitment to a sustainable circular economy and the environment.
“Consumers and customers who use our products should feel secure that our products are manufactured and distributed in a sustainable and r esponsible way,” continued Mr Rasheed. “That is why we promote responsible business – both within the UAE and throughout our supply chain.”
Sustainability in supply chains requires three responsibilities: social, environmental, and financial. Examples at SPML include using raw materials that have a relatively favourable environmental footprint,
powering the company's operations with green energy sources and favouring suppliers that emphasise renewables.
SPML is dedicated to maintaining its certifications, such as ISO 14001 for environmental management and FSC COC (Chain of Custody) for responsible sourcing of raw materials. These certifications demonstrate a commitment to sustainable practices and provide assurance to customers and stakeholders.
Research and devel opment plays a crucial role in the company’s sustainability journey. The company regularly invests in R&D initiatives to explore new technolo -
gies, processes and materials that can further enhance its sustainability performance.
“We also recognise the value of data a nd analysis in driving informed decisionmaking for sustainable development,” said Mr Rasheed. “We leverage advanced
data analytics to gather insights from various aspects of our business, enabling us to identify opportunities for improvement, optimise our processes and minimise our environmental footprint.”
Essential partnerships
Suppliers play a vital role in the success of any business: helping to foster innovation, reduce costs, drive process improvements and deliver better lead times. SPML builds
understanding, trust and long-term relationships with business partners through on-time payments, streamlining agreements and investing in technologies.
“SPML understands that our suppliers and partners are essential stakeholders in our business ecosystem,” Mr Rasheed explained.
The company prioritises building strong relationships based on understanding, trust and collaboration. The contributions and support of business partners are vital to SPML’s ability to deliver value to customers and drive sustainable growth
L ike every company, SPML has faced multiple issues with the global supply chain. These disruptions led to shortages, delays and increased costs in the procurement of raw materials, transportation and logistics. “However; we took proactive measures to mitigate
these challenges,” Mr Rasheed continued. “One step we took was to increase our storage capacity for raw materials.
“This ensures that we have an adequate supply on hand to sustain our operations during periods of limited availability or increased lead times. SPML has maintained a continuous production flow, and met customer demands despite these supply chain challenges.”
Data-driven decisions
SPML has a strong commitment to continuous improvement and sustainability. Its plans for the future revolve a round further enhancing the company’s sustainability efforts and aligning with global best practices.
“One of our key focuses is on improving energy efficiency and reducing our environmental footprint,” said Mr Rasheed. “We have set specific targets to reduce energy intensities, aiming for a ten per cent reduction in energy consumption. This aligns with the goals outlined in Abu Dhabi's Economic Vision 2030, which emphasises sustainable development.
“In conclusion, we are dedicated to embracing innovation, collaboration and data-driven decision-making to achieve our vision of becoming a leader in sustainable paper manufacturing. We believe that by working together with our stakeholders and leveraging cutting-edge solutions, we can make a significant positive impact on the environment, society and the future of the paper industry.” n
