OQ, the multifaceted Oman-based enterprise that specialises in flexible and rigid packaging solutions, continues to advance its portfolio in response to key market trends.
Specifically, the company has strengthened its presence in the bottles & closures industry with a broad offering – Luban DMDA 6200 and DMDZ 6147 for HDPE blow molded bottles, and Luban EP 2348R and DNDA 8320 for closures. Moreover, new high-flow random copolymer grades like Luban RP 2251T and impact copolymer EP 2348T ideal for customised closures are on the way towards imminent launch.
Customers are seeking enhanced performance and value addition across a range of metrics. In terms of durability, there is heightened demand for superior environmental stress cracking resistance (ESCR) to protect bottles from cracks caused by the chemicals they are storing.
On top of this important performance indicator, customers are looking for increased convenience, customization, and improved aesthetics. Offering solutions to meet a range of end-uses and applications is essential. In today’s highly competitive environment, converters require a variety of grades to fit different bottle and closure combinations designed for B2C and B2B end users.
Trevor Robinson, Global Head of Marketing at OQ, commented: “We are responding to many key trends with our grade offerings in this focus segment. For example, the Luban DMDZ 6147 offers more than 1,000 hours ESCR to ensure long-term protection of bottles against aggressive chemicals such as bleaches and agrochemicals, giving peace of mind to convertors, bottlers and retailers.
“Meanwhile, the Luban EP 2348R provides exceptional stiffness and impact balance, delivering durability and strong functionality and design freedom in customised closures to customers.”
OQ is set to deliver even more innovation across its rigid packaging portfolio in the near future.
Another six grades are in development and are close to launch, which focus on high performance in bottles and customised closures fulfilling functional needs, delivering benefits across a range of parameters, including stiffness, flexibility, transparency, hinge performance and impact resistance.
The new grades will cover a variety of end uses and applications covering small and medium sized bottles and closures for the food and beverage, personal and homecare and industrial segments.
Ali Al Lawati, Vice President Global Sales, added: “We continue to make strong progress with a globally accepted portfolio of Luban HDPE, LLDPE and Luban PP grades. To date, we have more than 200 customer approvals across six continents for our existing bottles and closures offering.
“Our solutions are providing major advantages across key parameters such as bottle stacking drop performance, ESCR, and processibility in moulding machines. Moving forwards, we will continue to listen to customers in new developments so that our products provide them with maximum benefit.”
With regional sales offices and technical service teams located in key markets such as Oman, India, Turkey, China, Spain, and Singapore, OQ’s experts are able to provide timely responses to any application-based enquiry.
Looking ahead, the company is focused on establishing regional distribution hubs to support its Oman base as it seeks to make progress across its delivery lead times to customers.
