Dubai, UAE, November 30, 2011 -( ASIATODAY.com )- United Arabic Emirates, November 30th 2011: Dubai Drink Technology Expo 2011 (DDTE) commenced its second day at the Dubai International Convention and Exhibition Centre, with the participation of more than 100 companies from 35 countries and thousands of visitors from the industry from all around the world. In parallel to the DDTE, the region’s first Global Water and Beverage Technology Congress (GWBT Dubai 2011) was held as part of the event.

The GWBT dedicated a full-day workshop delivered by the International Society of Beverage Technologists (ISBT), comprising 10 international member-speakers who presented their latest researches and findings.

Index Conferences and Exhibitions Organization Establishment - member of Index Holding, had the privilege of organizing this prestigious event - in cooperation with ISBT and several other European and Asian associations.

Sessions held on the second day of the GWBT addressed critical aspects of the beverage industry. With 27 years of experience in the plastics industry, Geert Van Ballaer, Application Marketing Manager at Borouge Pte Singapore, explained in the first session how environmentally degradable polyolefines can match the industry’s requirements for caps and closures. Borouge is a joint venture between Borealis and Abu Dhabi National Oil Company (ADNOC).

This was followed by Caesar Chaptni, Sales Manager at SACMI Middle East, sharing his experiences and insights on compression moulding.

Mariam Jarrar, Regional Market Research Consultant at Euromonitor International, led the third session, discussing packaging innovations in the intensely competitive global beverage industry. In addition, she highlighted the increasing consumer concerns over the health benefits of beverages – such as preferences for herbal tea over coffee, and the advantages of incorporating local flavours into traditional hot drinks.

The day concluded with Peter Bryant, Business Development Manager at Parker domnick hunter, discussing process filtration, and Niall Sutton, Market Sector Manager at Parker domnick hunter, speaking on nitrogen generators in beverage applications.

The GWBT sessions, presented adjacently to the DDTE trade show, engaged hundreds of attendants who ranged from technology owners, suppliers and manufacturers to media representatives and potential investors.

For the 2012 edition of DDTE, Index Conferences and Exhibitions has partnered with VLB Berlin – Germany’s Research and Training Institute for Brewing – to run educational workshops, training seminars and conference sessions on technologies in the beverage industry.

Speaking on the MENA’s beverage technology market, Dr. Roland Folz, Head of Brewing & Beverage Science and Applications at VLB Berlin, said: “This is an interesting and lively market with a potential for beverages to grow at a functional level, especially when it comes to beverage packaging”.

Folz noted that one of the successful products in the MENA region was the malt beverage, having gained tremendous popularity in the last few years. “We also see a strong demand for flavours in the region”. Education is one of the main focus areas at VLB Berlin, and Folz hopes that the Institute’s knowledge could be integrated into the regional market. “We would like to strengthen the knowledge of beverage technology in the region through educational workshops for the industry”, he stated.

Mr. Abdul Salam Al Madani, Executive Chairman of DDTE and the Arab Asian Beverage Alliance, and President of INDEX Holding said: “H.H. Sheikh Khalifa Bin Zayed Al Nahian President of the UAE and H.H. Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashed Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, are always keen to support all private and public sectors’ initiatives that highly contribute to the development of the UAE economy”.

The DDTE is a specialized show held annually in Dubai and plays a vital role in the transfer of technology, expertise and innovations in beverage technology, packaging, labeling and food industry.