German Schutz, a global market leader in industrial packaging, is in the process of setting up a manufacturing facility in Jubail, Saudi Arabia.

The plant, being set up in collaboration with AFI (Alaa for Industry), one of the biggest industrial companies in the Gulf, will be operational next summer.
“From this factory we will supply the whole market in the region, offering not just products but also complex service systems such as pick up services for empty and dirty packaging, reconditioning of used packaging and washing,” says Veit Enders, sales and marketing manager, Europe.
The company started evaluating the regional market two years ago. “We have been marketing our products here and received very good response.  We are doing business with Sabic and some big oil companies.”
The company’s main product is the Ecobulk Intermediate Bulk Container (IBC) of 1,000-litre capacity. It says IBCs are market leaders worldwide and are seen as an efficient form of packaging for liquids. The units are ideal for oil, lubricants, chemicals, food, beverages, pharmaceuticals and many dangerous goods, the company says.
Each Schutz IBC consists of a high-density polyethylene blow moulded inner bottle surrounded by a steel cage mounted on either a steel, plastic or wooden pallet.
“The main feature of the product is that it is standardised around the world. We have big customers from the chemicals and lubricants industries. Food is another of the applications. In this container one can fill anything — paints, inks, coatings, lubricant-based chemicals, specialty chemicals, hazardous substances, even coca cola concentrate,” says Enders.
An Ecobulk container offers economical and ecological advantages over other forms of packaging. The company lists its main features as - easy to stack for transportation and storage, multi-trip usage due to the modular system, easy replacement of components and maximum economy through large packaging units from 640 to 1,250 litres. It is also UN-approved for the transportation of dangerous goods, fast to fill and easy to discharge at the user site while also being FDA-approved for food-related applications.
Ecobulk also offers space-saving dimensions for optimum container shipping efficiency. Its tailor-made components fit any logistical requirements. There is a free collection system for empty Ecobulks. The components are reused and raw materials recycled offering environmental benefits. There is a global network for reconditioning and recycling of used Ecobulks.  Also a single 1,000-litre Ecobulk holds the volume of five steel drums in the space of four - a 20 per cent space saving.
The product was established in the early 1970s in Europe, and in the 1990s the company started selling it in the US and Asia. Today it has 26 production sites on all continents, 3,000 staff and an annual turnover of 850 million euros.
“The regional trend to go from oil into the downstream is very strong and will be stronger in the future. We believe specialty chemicals will be produced here and for that packaging in 1,000-litre size or 200-litre barrels will be required. Therefore we see a great future for our products and for our company,” Enders concludes.