OQ's New Polymer Innovations

OQ's New Polymer Innovations Based in Oman, OQ stands out as a company enabling energy transition across various markets through its diverse expertise. A specialist in polypropylene (PP) and polyethylene (PE) offering both flexible and rigid packaging solutions, OQ is launching two major products designed to address sectoral challenges and deliver significant sustainability benefits. OQ first introduced its Luban polypropylene impact copolymer portfolio, presenting Luban EP 2340L, EP 2340P and EP 2348R, which underwent initial trials in 2022 and will see full launch in the fourth quarter of 2023. Alongside these grades, Luban EP 2348S and EP 2348T, to be released soon, are also scheduled for market introduction in the same quarter. These products deliver solutions spanning a broad range of applications including thin-walled packaging, white goods, automotive parts and consumer goods, industrial containers, cases, batteries and beyond. Additionally, OQ is launching Luban LL8446.21, a new LLDPE rotomoulding solution. Designed to enable safe, clean and reliable storage and transport of water and other liquids, this product serves numerous application areas including water tanks, chemical containers, pallets, traffic barriers, air-conditioning housings and waste bins.

Improving food safety and preventing water scarcity

These new solutions will help industries worldwide address some of the most pressing global challenges. According to the United Nations, approximately 30 percent of produced food goes unconsumed, a major waste problem that blocks socioeconomic development opportunities in regions where food safety is a significant concern. Polypropylene solutions from OQ, including the ICP series, play a critical role in equipping food producers with the tools they need to address food safety issues, enabling end users to effectively protect their food not only during consumption but also throughout their journey from farm to table in the value chain, thereby contributing to the solution. Through these solutions, OQ contributes to vital issues including food safety, security, reduction of food scarcity and promotion of circularity in the food industry. In parallel, OQ's new LLDPE rotomoulding grade Luban LL8446.21 will help improve water security at the point of consumption, particularly in regions experiencing both rural development and rapid urbanization—situations likely to lead to water scarcity. This focused solution serves as a key component in the water distribution value chain, including water tanks and pipes, playing an important role in enhancing water security by ensuring safe, clean and reliable transport and storage of water in both urban and rural areas. This underscores the increasing importance of such advances in polymer technology in line with rising global demand for efficient water management solutions.

No compromise on quality

OQ's solutions are positioned to create meaningful impact through their high quality, a range of beneficial properties and rapid large-scale production capability.

Key benefits and properties for the ICP portfolio are:

Improved flow: Helps reduce energy input and lower processing temperatures, providing cost and energy savings. Additionally, enables thinner walls to be achieved, reducing both weight and cost while providing greater design freedom. Reduced warpage: Provides faster cycle times during processing as well as efficiency during filling and stacking. Dimensional consistency: Ensures dimensional stability of the product during use, including hot-fill applications and stacking as well as reheating in the case of food protective containers. Improved stiffness and toughness balance: Allows application versatility providing operational efficiency and cost savings during production while maintaining functionality throughout the entire value chain, including meeting storage and transport requirements. OQ Luban ICP solutions are designed according to performance in an application. For example, Luban EP2340L can be cited as an excellent solution for cases and boxes due to its balance of very high impact and stiffness properties. Luban EP2348R is the ideal grade for producing food containers and light pallets thanks to its good impact and stiffness properties. Luban EP2348T, with its high flow, stiffness and low temperature impact, is suitable for thin-walled packaging solutions in food applications requiring cooling or freezing. Sadiq Al Lawati, General Manager Marketing at OQ, commented: "Our quality range has been carefully developed to provide comprehensive solutions across the thin-walled rigid packaging value chain addressing both industrial and consumer thin-walled applications. Our focus extends beyond providing the right grade for the application to delivering holistic solutions supported by services tailored to meet our customers' specific needs. This enables customers to innovate in the value chain while keeping pace with market trends and reducing their reliance on imports." OQ's LLDPE rotomoulding grade Luban LL8446.21 is ideal for water tanks thanks to its excellent durability, processability and UV stabilization—the polymer design and the resulting property balance, including excellent ESCR and deformation under load, deliver superior field performance. In terms of design versatility, converters can produce a range of roto-molded products with Luban LL8446.21, including water tank sizes ranging from the smallest models to 10,000 liters. The Luban LL8446.21 grade is also designed to provide excellent processability, including faster grinding rate. Furthermore, LLDPE roto-molding value chain solutions provide more cost-effective and sustainable solutions over their service life compared to traditional alternatives such as CTP, metal and concrete. Sadiq added: "Beyond providing the highest quality grades designed for purpose-built polyolefin solutions, OQ aims to deliver best-in-class customer service to match. The OQ team has committed itself to helping customers select the right solutions suited to their needs from the very beginning of our engagement. As we guide customers through field trials and commercial processes, we rapidly learn their pain points, needs and requirements. Our goal is to deliver value that supports the customer's needs."