Pack Expo 2013: Octal to open a facility in North America

"It will complement what we already sell in the U.S," he said. "Cincinnati was a good fit for us because we have customers around that area and we liked the logistic capabilities. We believe the U.S. is a dynamic market for us and we're continuing to gain market share."

In addition, the company hopes that the new facility will help expand the company's customer base to the U.S. West Coast and Mexico.

Octal was established in 2006 and has become one of the largest producers of APET sheet. Octal's unique direct-to-sheet process, DPET technology, eliminates five energy stages of the conventional sheet production process (pelletizer, SSP, compactor, dryer and extruder).

Octal's technology produces PET sheet with a caliper variation of less than 1%, allowing downgauging of up to 8 to 10%.

The company's DPET/PE laminate sheet, with the option for barrier performance, works to preserve contents from deterioration while providing packaging appeal, especially for detailed printing designs in both vacuum and modified atmosphere applications.

Barenberg said the free trade agreement between Oman and the U.S. has been very beneficial for the Oman-based company.  

Going forward, the company anticipates expanding its PET sheet as material replacement for other packaging applications.

"For example, PVC and being used as a substitute for consumer products and other packaging," he said. "We've also been contacted about being a replacement for PS as well."