Hotpack acquires Pride Packaging for 15 million to manufacture corrugated board in Oman

The Middle Eastern packaging landscape is undergoing a significant structural shift as UAE-headquartered Hotpack transitions from a commercial distributor to a local manufacturer in the Sultanate of Oman. On October 20, 2026, the company confirmed the acquisition of a major stake in Pride Packaging, a corrugated manufacturer and subsidiary of Oman’s largest private fisheries group, Sea Pride. The transaction, valued at an expected 15 million dollars, marks Hotpack's direct entry into corrugated board manufacturing in the country.

For decades, Hotpack has maintained a commercial footprint in Oman, operating primarily as a supplier since 1998. This acquisition pivots its strategy toward localized industrial production. The agreement, formalized via a Memorandum of Understanding at the Inspire Oman Investors Summit in Muscat, lays the groundwork for an integrated packaging complex in Barka, specifically within the Khazaen Economic City.

A 30 million Omani rial industrial expansion

The industrial implications of this move extend beyond a simple change of ownership. According to Mohammed Ameen Sait, CEO of Sea Pride Group, the joint initiative will inject over 30 million Omani rials into the local economy over the next three years. The Barka facility is projected to create more than 300 direct jobs and will consolidate multiple packaging solutions under a single roof.

By integrating Pride Packaging’s established corrugated operations with Hotpack’s broader material portfolio, the new complex aims to serve both the demanding fisheries export market—anchored by Sea Pride's volume requirements—and the growing regional FMCG sector. This vertical integration secures a captive demand base while providing the scale necessary to compete with imported packaging materials.

Regional supply chain localization

The move reflects a broader trend in the Gulf Cooperation Council region, where packaging converters are increasingly localizing production to mitigate supply chain vulnerabilities and align with national economic diversification programs, such as Oman Vision 2040. For Hotpack, securing a manufacturing foothold in Barka provides a strategic logistical advantage, allowing faster turnaround times for corrugated products that are traditionally sensitive to transport costs over long distances.