Plastic in food security

Did you know that due to water scarcity, only 7% of Oman’s land can yield crops?

Thanks to a variety of innovative plastic applications that make a significant impact at every stage from farm to fork, driving Oman to be more self-sufficient and food secure.

The use of greenhouse films can protect open fields from unpredictable conditions such as soaring temperatures, droughts, dry spells and heavy rains. This can enhance efficiency and ensures year-round production, boosting crop yield by nearly 10x.

Unlike jute bags and other food transportation solutions, rigid packaging like plastic crates offers superior impact resistance and stiffness that helps reduce food loss by damage to 5%. They are also easily stackable to maximize volume.

Organoleptic containers like plastic milk bottles are engineered to minimize the transfer of unwanted gases and moisture, extending the shelf life by up to 7 days. Moreover, they can also be designed as gloss, matte or clear to stand out in a crowded marketplace.

When properly packed with flexible film, fruits and vegetables are shielded from excess moisture loss and microbial growth, thus preserving their freshness for 14 more days.

Plastic in modern advancements

Everyday, we wake up to homes enabled by plastic – even though we may or may not readily perceive it with our naked eyes.

From providing safe electricity to high-speed internet to instant water coming through our taps, plastic is a silent superhero that works its magic in the background. Here are some modern life advancements that plastic has made possible -

HDPE is used in various electrical installations that transport electricity from main power lines into our homes, through all kinds of weather. Its fire-resistant properties help protect not just the wires, but also those who come in contact with them.

HDPE is also used to make protective micro-ducts for optic fibers that transmit internet over long distances: high-speed and uninterrupted.

PP and HDPE are used to design household pipe systems that bring water to our household taps without leaks or corrosion, thus maintaining the quality of the water.

Plastic in medical advancements

Plastic plays an indispensable role in advancing medical technology, significantly enhancing patient care and safety.

By providing safe, reliable and adaptable solutions across different applications, polymers continue to drive innovations in medical care, ensuring better outcomes and enhanced safety for patients worldwide. Here are a few critical applications:

Polymers play a crucial role in medical advancements by providing essential materials for syringes, IV bags, and blister packs - which are increasingly moving towards more sustainable polyolefin solutions.

Syringes offer precision and reliability for administering medications and vaccines, ensuring accurate dosages and minimising contamination risks. IV bags, also composed of flexible, durable plastic, are vital for delivering fluids and medications intravenously, allowing for safe and efficient patient care. Blister packs protect individual doses of medications from moisture and contamination, enhancing their stability and shelf life. Collectively, these plastic applications have revolutionised the hygiene, safety, and convenience of medical treatments, underscoring their indispensable role in modern healthcare.

Additionally, polyethylene and polypropylene ensure the sterility of medical packaging, sutures, and bags, safeguarding supplies, enhancing wound healing, and securely transporting fluids. Their durability also supports medical implants and prosthetics, offering long-term functionality and comfort. Meanwhile, polypropylene is integral to medical textiles, such as surgical masks and gowns, providing protection and infection control, as well as to sterilisation trays, where its resistance to heat and chemicals ensures the safe and effective sterilisation of instruments, medicines and devices. Together, these plastics contribute significantly to modern healthcare advancements.

What is PET?

PET is a strong and reliable material, ideal for beverage bottles due to its durability and lightweight nature, reducing transportation emissions. Its transparency maintains product visibility, while gas barrier properties preserve freshness. Though recyclable, caution is needed as PET can become brittle at high temperatures. Its versatility extends to food containers and polyester fibers, highlighting its importance across industries.

What are its popular applications?

Sealing, storing, and preserving—this versatile material plays a crucial role in various applications. From creating secure seals to storing food, drinks, and medicines, to packaging cosmetics and chemicals, its uses are indispensable. Whether safeguarding freshness or ensuring safety, its versatility shines through in everyday essentials.

What are the best practices for using it?

For optimal preservation and responsible disposal, it's best to keep PET in dry, cool conditions away from direct sunlight. However, exposing items to direct sunlight for extended periods, such as leaving them in cars, can lead to degradation. Similarly, leaving items behind to contaminate natural environments like parks or beaches poses environmental risks. Moreover, failing to empty contents before disposal can slow down the recycling process.

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What is HDPE?

HDPE stands out as a robust plastic renowned for its strength and rigidity, ensuring the durability of containers under impact and stress. Its high melting point allows sterilization and use in hot fill applications, while its chemical resistance makes it a preferred choice for various industrial uses. However, its lack of flexibility and opacity compared to other plastics may limit its suitability for applications requiring clarity.

What are its popular applications?

HDPE serves a multitude of purposes across industries. It's used for storing sensitive liquids like milk and detergents, making grocery and waste bags, constructing crates and industrial containers, and even as building materials for outdoor furniture and signage. Its ability to withstand abrasions and high pressure makes it a reliable choice for a wide range of applications.

What are the best practices for using it?

HDPE performs well when stored in cool temperatures, making it ideal for milk jugs and bottles. It best demonstrates its reliability when used for its intended purposes such as irrigation and water pipes. However, leaving HDPE items behind can contaminate environments like parks or beaches. Additionally, failing to empty HDPE containers before disposal can hinder the recycling process.

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What is LLDPE?

LDPE/LLDPE stands out for its flexibility and stretch, making it perfect for bags and wraps that conform to contents. Its lightweight nature reduces transportation costs and environmental impact, while its low melting point enables heat sealing and shaping into various forms. Additionally, it offers clarity for product visibility in packaging applications and is affordable, providing good moisture resistance and safety for food contact. However, it has lower strength and heat resistance compared to other plastics, making it more prone to punctures or tears.

What are its popular applications?

LDPE/LLDPE is essential for protecting crops, storing and transporting liquids, and manufacturing durable containers like trash cans and water tanks. LDPE is also used in protective coatings for paper cartons and cups, playground equipment, and daily goods such as grocery bags, dry cleaning covers, and newspaper sleeves. Common applications include grocery bags and wraps, squeezable bottles, and food packaging due to its flexibility, clarity, and moisture barrier properties.

What are the best practices for using it?

For LDPE/LLDPE proper handling and appropriate recycling is crucial for longevity. However, leaving LDPE items to contaminate environments or not labeling them with a Resin Identification Code (RIC) for recycling, or failing to empty containers before disposal, can hinder recycling efforts. So, responsible handling and disposal are key to minimizing environmental impact and promoting recycling for LDPE.

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What is PP?

PP is a versatile plastic that boasts a lightweight yet stiff composition, striking a balance between weight and rigidity. With a high melting point, PP facilitates hot fill applications and sterilization, while its heat and chemical resistance make it ideal for containers exposed to harsh conditions. PP is celebrated for its lightweight construction, recyclability, and excellent heat and chemical resistance, making it a preferred choice for various industries. Despite its strengths, PP may be slightly less clear than PET and may face challenges in recycling availability in certain regions. Nonetheless, its high strength and reusability contribute to its popularity in diverse applications.

What are its popular applications?

PP is essential for storing frozen or hot foods, providing durability and heat resistance required for such applications. It is also favored for reusable containers, offering strength and reusability. Moreover, PP is utilized in automotive car parts, where its lightweight yet sturdy nature contributes to vehicle efficiency and performance. It also finds application in heat-resistant thermal vests, providing the necessary protection and comfort for users in various environments.

What are the best practices for using it?

When it comes to PP, responsible handling and disposal are crucial considerations. Using multi-use containers only once before discarding, leaving PP items behind to contaminate environments, or failing to label them appropriately as highly recyclable, can hinder recycling efforts. Additionally, not emptying PP containers before disposal can further complicate the recycling process.

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