Octal launches revolutionary poultry packaging solution for the middle east and africa at gulfood 2013

OCTAL, the world’s leading clear rigid food packaging material supplier, has unveiled the next innovation in poultry packaging at Gulfood 2013, the world’s biggest food and hospitality show held in Dubai from 25-28 February. The debut of the new DPET-PE™ trays is slated to revolutionize the poultry packaging industry by improving processes and cost efficiency while maintaining maximum freshness for longer lasting shelf appeal.

OCTAL’s patented DPET sheet is leading the way in wholesale market conversion from traditional packaging methods to PET. The company’s latest development in poultry packaging offers high definition thermoforming to cater for a variety of shapes and sizes and the direct-to-sheet process has eliminated the most energy consuming and defect prone processes to deliver a flawless sheet using a fraction of the energy previously required. Independent researchers Intertek Expert Services and Renewable Choice Energy have verified that OCTAL’S DPET uses 65% less purchased electricity and 28% less on-site thermal energy with 18% lower global warming potential and a 30% lower cradle-to-gate environmental footprint compared to conventional APETز

Maurice Abou Zeid, Business Manager MENA, said, “Poultry imports to the Middle East and Africa is a booming industry with five of the top ten chicken consumers in the world coming from the Gulf. Our DPET sheet has set the global standard in the manufacturing of uniform high-quality packaging products and is perfectly suited to serve a growing market through its process efficiency that combines strength with flexibility and consistency to offer a superior grade packaging solution.”

He explained that the debut of OCTAL’s poultry packaging solution could not have come at a better time. Brazil, the country of honor at Gulfood 2013, ranks as one of the largest suppliers of poultry products to the region accounting for 30% of the country’s total worldwide poultry exports.

Abou Zeid went on to say, “OCTAL’s pioneering technology is already used in 40 countries around the world and Gulfood 2013 allows us the opportunity to demonstrate the high potential and wide application of DPET™ to some of the world’s largest producers, suppliers and retailers. Our DPET sheet is calibrated specifically for high speed production lines to make the form-fill-seal process more efficient and eliminate defects. Its improved barrier properties display each product with greater clarity and gloss, without polymer contamination and improving hygiene by using vacuum seals designed to maximize product appeal.”

OCTAL’s DPET sheet has emerged as the new ‘King of Plastics’ as more industries embrace its operational, economic and environmental benefits and make the transition to the next generation of packaging material. It is tougher and more resistant to cracking and the increased production efficiency provides a faster forming cycle, reduced wastage and precise unwinding, as well as complete recyclability to make the product a true innovation in food packaging. The superb appearance of the DPET sheet is an added advantage extending beyond the productivity benefits. The advanced material properties make it possible to put packaging on the shelves with crystal-clear transparency that presents the contents at their best for longer in refrigerated displays.

The strength and versatility of OCTAL’s DPET sheet has already been used successfully to package water cups, in which OCTAL holds a 60% share of the regional market. Other applications include packaging for baked goods, fresh produce, yogurt, cheese and other dairy products.