OQ advances trend towards flexible packaging with series of multilayer solutions

OQ, the fast-growing and multifaceted Oman-based integrated energy company, continues to make progress towards product optimisation and innovation as it caters to the growing demand for flexible packaging solutions.
Several factors are behind the shift in trend from rigid to flexible packaging solutions. Much of this is consumer driven, with end users now demanding lightweight, convenient reliable and safe solutions that fit their evolving lifestyles. With a trend towards single households and busy urban living gathering pace, customers crave fast and convenient food products.
Moreover, in the so-called ‘new normal’ era following the initial pandemic, awareness of personal hygiene is also driving changes in packaging designs.
Combined, these factors are turbocharging growth in the flexible packaging market, which is set to reach $390 billion in value by 2028, up from around $260 billion in 2021.
So, why is flexible packaging the answer? The solutions require good aesthetics, openability and consistent film thickness distribution, as well as excellent mechanical and sealing properties. They also need to have good upstream and downstream processability, an important factor for film manufacturers, packers and converters.
OQ has developed a portfolio of film packaging solutions designed for a wide range of film extrusion applications, including PP, LLDPE and HDPE grades, that are able to meet these essential requirements, providing consistent quality, performance with competitive costs.
This portfolio includes several innovative and reliable multilayer food packaging solutions.
HP4102M, for example, is a homopolymer polypropylene designed for CPP and is suitable to produce metallizable and lamination films. It is commonly used for confectionery packaging and food products requiring an aroma barrier and is popular with packaging manufacturers due to its good processability, high gloss and clarity, and mechanical properties.
OQ has also developed a robust range of HDPE and LLDPE film grades to support mono and multilayer film structures providing solutions for a wide range of applications. For instance, the DFDA-7042/7047 and DFDC 7080/7050 grades – boasting high gloss and excellent draw down qualities, as well as good tensile strength and toughness.