Sidel is to set up a complete PET water bottle line in Oman for the local producer Barzman.
The line, to be installed in January 2014 at an existing plant in Muscat, will initially produce water in 0.25-, 0.5- and 1-litre formats at speeds of up to 22,000 bottles per hour.
Barzman, one of the leading domestic producers in the Omani market, first approached Sidel in 2012 looking for a fast, high-capacity production line with durability and sustainable efficiency.
In Oman, demand for bottled water is rising in line with growing concern over diet and health among the country’s consumers, triggering an apparent shift from soft drinks to water and juices.
Employment and levels of personal income are also rising in the Sultanate, further driving demand for bottled water.
Most producers in Oman are now looking to increase capacity, while also following the global trend towards lightweight packaging, according to Sidel.
Based in Dubai, Sidel has longer-term opportunities in the MEA, said Clive Smith, zone VP for Greater Middle East and Africa.
“We see excellent prospects for Sidel in the region to support our customers,” he said.
“In many ways the markets here are at a similar level of maturity with customers facing many similar challenges.
“This means we can focus the expertise we have built over 150 years on helping them meet those challenges with complete service and line solutions across PET, glass and can and all product categories.”