Oman-based Octal (Muscat; www.octal.com) says its direct-to-sheet “DPET” process for the manufacture of PET sheets has a similar carbon footprint to recycled PET (rPET) and provides greater product consistency. DPET sheets, used for clear thermoformed packaging for food, dairy and consumer products, provide retailers with “a new option to achieve their sustainability goals while also realising major quality and performance improvements,” the company states. The DPET technology, which uses a two-reactor polymerisation system and sheet forming process, is more efficient than standard polymerisation and extrusion, Octal adds.

According to a study by Pira International (Leatherhead / UK; www.pira-international.com), the carbon footprint of DPET sheet is roughly the same as rPET blends containing up to 50% recycled content. Octal says DPET has advantages over rPET in terms of colour, clarity and purity, and is easier to cut. In addition, DPET can be downgauged by up to 12% over rPET, allowing savings in packaging material, it adds.

DPET sheet can also be used to replace less environmentally accepted materials such as PVC and PE for form, fill and seal applications where issues with cutting, blade wear and inconsistency have presented obstacles to rPET, remarks Ian Bone, director of the UK Packaging and Films Association (PAFA, Nottingham; www.pafa.org.uk) and MD of the UK subsidiary of Südpack (Ochsenhausen / Germany; www.suedpack.com).

Octal is expanding its DPET production in Salalah / Oman by 500,000 t/y. The project is expected to be completed next year – see Plasteurope.com of 09.02.2009.