Octal aims PET laminate sheet at cheese packaging

05-May-2011 - Last updated on 18-May-2011 at 16:04 GMT

Related tags Milk

Oman-based Octal has launched a PET sheet product for cheese packaging that it claims offers up big production efficiency improvements.

Called DPET, the PET sheet, will be presented to cheese processors for the first time at Interpack in Dusseldorf next week.

Aimed particularly at form-fill-seal modified atmosphere packed cheeses, Octal claimed that DPET brings a “massive efficiency boost” to cheese processors.

Compared to traditional APET films, Octal claimed that the sheets leave a 25 per cent smaller carbon footprint because the energy depleting “direct-to-sheet” process is eliminated.

Octal highlighted other production advantages including toughness and resistance to cracking as well as high definition forming and resin distribution.

Regarding appearance, the packaging producer claimed the material properties ensure maximum clarity and gloss so cheese can be presented in its best light in supermarket fridges.

Joe Barenberg, COO at Octal, said: “DPET is perfectly suited for form-fill-seal applications. It boosts production efficiency, is easy to recycle and unbeatable for presenting products in refrigerated displays.”

Oman-based Octal is currently expanding its operations with the intention to reach annual sales of $1.5bn by 2012. Earlier in the year, the company secured a $296m loan to add an additional 527,000 mt of production capacity to its PET resins and sheet packaging complex in Salalah, Oman.

Octal is looking to target the dairy industry as it expands, seeing opportunities for its PET sheets in yoghurt and cheese.