The 7th Edition of Dubai Drink Technology Expo Concluded Today Winners of the Middle East Beverage Awards Announced

The seventh edition of the Dubai Drink Technology Expo concluded today with more than 7000 participants after three days of networking activities between companies displaying their latest technologies and trends in the beverage industry. DDTE 2014 featured more than 100 companies in the field of beverage manufacturing, processing, packaging, and machinery.

Moreover, the Arab Asian Beverage Alliance announced at a gala dinner held yesterday the results of the Middle East Beverage Awards that was given out to companies with different profiles. The Award Competition was held in conjunction with the Dubai Drink Technology Expo and in cooperation with Index Conferences and Exhibitions – member of INDEX Holding.

The 12 Awards were categorized into the following: Best Packaging Design, Best Innovative Health Drink, Best Innovative Refreshing Dairy Drink, Best Ingredient Innovation, Water and Unique Ingredient, Best Naturally Produced Water in the UAE, Best Sustainability Initiatives, Best Flavour Range, Best Nutritional Drink, Best Imported Water, Best Practices in Quality Control, and Unique Carbonated Drink.

More than 30 international and regional brands took part in the competition. The awards were given to winners by Dr. Ahmed Al Banna, the Secretary General of the Arab Asian Beverage Alliance (AABA), Dr. Abdul Salam Al Madani, Executive Chairman of Arab Asian Beverage Alliance, and Chairman of INDEX Holding and Dr. Roland Folz, Chairperson of the Global Water & Beverage Industry.

Nujoom juice from Al-Marai won the Best Packaging Design Award, Ginco GT for their product Recharge won the Best Innovative Health Drink Award, FrieslandCampina for their product Rainbow Freshy won the Best Innovative Refreshing Dairy Drink Award, Al Khamayil from Modern Dairy Factory won the Best Ingredient Innovation Award, Polza Water won the Water with Unique Ingredient Award, Crystal Mineral Water won the award of Best Naturally Produced Water in the UAE, Lipton Tea won the Best Sustainability Initiatives Award, Dala juice from Arab Company for Modern Industries won the Best Flavour Range Award, Al Ain Dairy won the Best Nutritional Drink Award for their product Camelait, Aquacedri won the Best Imported Water Award, Al Bayan Water won the Best Practices in Quality Control Award, and finally Tekrir Company won the Unique Carbonated Drink Award.

Commenting on the Awards ceremony Eng. Anas Al Madani, Vice – Chairman and CEO of INDEX Holding said:

“Our objective behind the Middle East Beverage Awards is to recognise consumer trends and increase public awareness about the new and existing products in the market. The Middle East Beverage Awards creates a competitive spirit among the participating brands to encourage more development in this vital industry.”

Eng. Al Madani went on saying:

“Through these awards, we are providing the media and marketing support for local and international brands and recognising best products and practices in the beverage industry to increase their chances in market penetration. In its 3^rd year, the Middle East Beverage Awards had succeeded in attracting 30 finalists with different profiles to recognize the quality of their products whether in terms of ingredients, packaging, or manufacture. Due to the increased interest we are witnessing every year in the Middle East Beverage Awards, I believe it will become a core part of Dubai Drink Technology Expo.”

Eng. Anas Al Madani concluded:

“Dubai Drink Technology Expo in its 7^th edition had succeeded in presenting the latest technologies and advancements in the fields of manufacturing, packaging, and labelling of water and beverages. At DDTE, we are always keen to support this ever-growing industry locally and internationally and to open up great opportunities for exhibitors and trade visitors.”

From his side, Dr. Roland Folz, Chairperson of the Global Water & Beverage Technology Congress and the Director Innovation & Technology from Pentair Filtration and Process added: “The MENA region is a substantially large market with strong promise of future growth. I had the pleasure to support DDTE since its inception due to its important role and position in the beverage industry. There is no doubt that the Global Water & Beverage Technology Congress adds great value to the event as it provides latest facts and information about the industry.”

He continued on saying:

“As Pentair, an exhibiting company at DDTE, we put emphasis on quality and quality assurance, as we believe this will be one of the key differentiators for a beverage brand in a growing and dynamic market. High quality turn-key engineering combined with quality assurance equipment systems and effective end-of pipe water recycling solutions will lead to automated future beverage plant concepts that secure our supply of safe beverages into the future in a high water stress area. As a company we are prepared for these trends and utilize DDTE and GWBT to exchange with the brand owners of the region.”