🏭 The plastics industry is one of Egypt’s fastest-growing industrial sectors, with its products integrated into vital value chains, ranging from automotive — where plastic accounts for 20% to 40% of components — to electronics, apparel, and mobile phones.

With production volume growing by approximately 16% in 2025 — driven by rising costs that led to factory closures abroad — the sector is playing a pivotal role in deepening local manufacturing and reducing the import bill, Chemical and Fertilizers Export Council head Khaled Abou El Makarem told EnterpriseAM, adding that Egypt is becoming an attractive destination and an alternative hub for new investments to fill this global supply gap.

However, this dark horse is at a critical crossroads, facing rising environmental pressures, stricter international legislation, and a noticeable shift in investor appetite. The Plastex 2026 conference — attended by EnterpriseAM — settled the debate: the question is no longer “Will we grow?” but “How do we grow without losing our global competitiveness?” The message was clear: future growth is contingent on environmental compliance and technological innovation, especially with the rise of European carbon regulations, despite cautious optimism fueled by falling interest rates and a resurgence of investment interest.

In numbers: The sector saw a steady domestic production growth of 15% last year, with exports reaching some USD 2.4 bn, representing 25% of the total chemical and fertilizer exports — USD 9.5 bn — by the end of 2025. Foreign investment increased by 8.5% during 2024 and 2025, with an additional 10% increase expected this year.

It’s no longer enough for a factory to produce more — it must produce cleaner. Recycling is no longer a luxury, Engineering Export Council head Sherif El Sayad told us, it’s a prerequisite for accessing European markets. If Egyptian exporters fail to comply with the CBAM and prove a verified reduction in carbon emissions, they’re at risk of facing additional customs barriers. This coincides with another challenge: the protective duties recently imposed by certain markets on Egyptian polymer and chemical exports.

Consequently, the Chemical and Fertilizers Export Council has completely redesigned its 2026 strategy. They have increased participation in foreign exhibitions, shifted to direct B2B models, utilized local consultants within target markets, and expanded into non-traditional markets, particularly in Africa, reassessing major markets like the US and Europe. The aim, according to Abou El Makarem, is to increase plastic and rubber exports by 25% this year, reaching USD 3 bn.

Are falling interest rates sufficient to absorb the cost of going green? Experts believe that the expected decline in interest rates in 2026, following a 725-basis-point cutlast year, will not only reduce the capital financing costs required to modernize factories, but also help offset the increased costs imposed by international protective duties, thereby maintaining the competitiveness of Egyptian pricing. Banks have begun offering specialized financing programs for the plastics and recycling industry, paired with technical support and consultancy to ensure project sustainability, according to Nader Saad Ali, CEO for SMEs and Commercial Banking at the National Bank of Egypt.

This shift is currently driving the integration of recycling to achieve 100% utilization of raw materials, not only to protect resources but to lower the product’s final cost. Technologies such as 3D printing — which has seen local costs drop to EGP 15k per machine — enable faster and more efficient production. This may reduce the market share of traditional manufacturing by 90% over the next decade, making it imperative for manufacturers to keep pace with this technical and financial transformation before it is too late.

The plastics industry in Egypt is also repositioning itself regionally as Middle East and North African markets move away from traditional production. These markets are no longer just consumers or producers of basic raw materials — they are shifting toward more specialized, high-value-added products, according to ExxonMobil MENA Cluster Manager for Plastics and Resins Ehab Nasr Eldin. Large companies like ExxonMobil are currently focusing on specialized products that offer higher performance using smaller quantities of plastic, which reduces costs and protects the environment.

Despite export growth, the sector faces the challenge of protective duties recently imposed by some markets, making market diversification — particularly into Africa and Latin America — an absolute necessity rather than an option. Public-private partnerships have become the “secret code” for success, as the industry cannot bear the cost of the green transition alone.

The state is no longer merely a regulator that imposes fines, but a partner that helps empower sector players, according to head of the Plastic Unit at the Ministry of Environment Yousra Abdel Aziz. Cooperation is essential for building integrated waste collection and recycling systems, as past experiences have shown that total ban policies on plastic are unrealistic — the viable alternative being to improve waste management and alter consumer behavior.

This is complemented by partnerships with industrial modernization centers and international organizations such as UNIDO, which enhance factory efficiency and prepare them for foreign market requirements, according to UNIDO National Project Coordinator Eman Abdel Mohsen.

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