Oman-based petrochemical company Octal said it will exhibit the ground breaking pilot project for date packaging which is envisioned to transform traditional date retailing methods at the Gulfood expo in Dubai.

Gulfood is the region’s premier tradeshow for the $300 billion food processing industry and an important launch pad for Octal’s innovative clear rigid packaging solutions, said a senior official.

“The date packaging pilot project that is currently underway is a clear reflection of our commitment to support the agricultural industry in the Middle East," remarked Maurice Abou Zeid, business manager (Mena region) at Octal.

"Date packaging is a 200,000 ton market in the GCC alone and through our innovations in material science we are unlocking potential and opening up a myriad of value-rich propositions for producers, retailers, consumers and the environment," he added.

Octal’s focus on PET responds to converging global trends of consumer lifestyles that increasingly demand convenience packaging and of growing needs for eco-friendly products and improved economics throughout the packaging value chain, noted Abou Zeid.

PET is unique in that it possesses an attractive combination of mechanical and optical properties that make it the preferred material for liquids, food, and consumer product packaging, he explained.

In date packaging, Octal’s DPET PE Laminate Sheet with its improved barrier properties works effectively to preserve contents from deterioration while providing excellent packaging appeal especially for detailed printing designs in both Vacuum and MAP applications.

"By understanding technological gaps and considering the evolution of preferences as a variable driving change, we have developed a superior method for revolutionizing the performance advantages of PET to lead wholesale conversion of global product lines to PET packaging and introduce next-generation applications."

"PET provides the necessary rigidity and clarity and at the same time offers an environmentally conscious, re-usable and visually attractive packaging solution," he added.

According to him, Octal is firmly positioning Oman on the world map as a leading food packaging supplier with an outward-oriented strategic vision.

"Its products are suited for packaging baked goods, fresh produce, meat, cheese and yogurt all of which demand superior optical qualities together with strength, flexibility and the ability to maintain form," he added.-TradeArabia News Service