Sharp Interpack is investing more than £500,000 into rigid plastics tooling and machinery, following the development of a new cost-effective ready-meal c-PET material.

The investment in its 'dual ovenable' Ovenex brand is, according to the firm, a response to the booming ready-meals market - driven by consumers eschewing restaurants in favour of eating at home.

Sharp Interpack, which also trades as Sharpak, recently developed a more cost-effective c-PET material in its laboratories, which it reckons is unique to the marketplace.

Seamus Madden, Sharpak's ready meals product manager, said: "This current investment, combined with planned future investments in c-PET business is a reflection of our commitment to grow within this market with an enhanced material providing a commercial edge."

The partially crystalline structure of c-PET means that it remains stable at temperatures between 40 degrees centigrade and 220 degrees centigrade and above. It provides an effective barrier against oxygen, water, carbon dioxide and nitrogen.

Sharpak can also provide c-PET trays for retort processing to create a longer shelf-life in post-sterilisation conditions, such as for steam-heated airline food.

Sharpak is based in the UK and manufactures rigid plastic packaging for the food and non-food sectors. It operates from three sites - in Aylesham, Kent; Bridgwater, Somerset; and Yate near Bristol.

The investment is the latest change in a busy year for Sharpak. In July, it bought the order book and some of the assets of Rexam's Deeside thermoforming factory, while in May it launched a new padless meat tray.