MAP Tray Sealing Machine Manufacturer

An important requirement in selecting food packaging systems is the barrier properties of the packaging material. Barrier properties include permeability of gases (such as O2, CO2, and N2), water vapour, aroma compounds and light. These are vital factors for maintaining the microbial safety and quality of packaged foods. In general, the permeability of plastic packaging depends on its characteristics (such as crystallinity, molecular orientation, chain stiness, free volume, cohesive energy density, etc.), permeate properties (such as molecule size and nature) and external conditions (such as temperature, moisture etc.). Food packaging provides varying degrees of protection, depending largely on the nature of the polymers and structures made by the combination of polymers. Improvements in the barrier properties can be obtained by combination of appropriate polymers and polymers processing technologies. For example, biaxial orientation results in increased toughness, increased stiness, enhanced clarity, and enhanced barrier properties. However it is dicult to obtain all the desirable barrier properties from a single polymeric material. Thus various techniques are used to create a composite structure. Some of the most popular techniques are lamination, co-extrusion, coating, and combination of these to meet the varied barrier requirements of food packaging.

For example, PP has a good moisture barrier property but poor oxygen resistant property. On the other hand Ethylene-vinyl alcohol (EVOH) has a good oxygen barrier property but poor moisture barrier. These polymers can be combined along with others to provide optimum barrier properties for range of adverse elements. Barrier packaging works hard to keep harmful elements like oxygen, water, water vapor, aromas, light, grease, oils, and more away from your goods. This makes barrier containers a great option for products that normally have short shelf life. Along with the barrier containers, high barrier lid films with Easy Peel performance are critical in achieving desired results.

Typical Barrier Container Packaging Structures & Applications

Barrier Category	Typical Structures of Containers & Lid Film	Typical Applications
Ultra High	Multi layer structures with Oxygen Scavengers, Foil/SiOx & AlOx Coated Barrier Films	Long Shelf Life: RTE, Baby Food, Pet Food, Retort Products
High	Multi layer structures with multiple barrier layers, SiOx & AlOx Coated Barrier Films	Extended Shelf Life: Ethnic Sweets, Bakery, Dry Fruits etc MAP Products, Chilled Meals
Medium	Multi layer structures with single barrier layer, Polyamide (Nylon) based Barrier Films	Extended Shelf Life at chilled storage: Paneer, Meats
Low	Single layer structures without barrier layer and Non Barrier Films	Short Shelf Life at chilled or Long Shelf Life at frozen storage: Dahi, Ice-cream Frozen Foods

ADVANCES IN BARRIER PACKAGING

Material developments and new packaging processes are allowing food to be kept fresh much longer without altering taste or aroma. While traditional barrier materials extend product shelf life by impeding O2 migration into a package, in built O2 scavengers go one step further "capturing" O2 present within a sealed package to ensure it does not react with the food product. By combining active and barrier packaging, processors can increase shelf life, protect flavor profiles and maintain food's appearance without adding preservatives. Antimicrobials as a coating or compounded into the plastic are helping address outbreaks of foodborne illnesses.

Combinations of barrier technology and processing advances such as MAP, Retort and MATS are resulting in unique food-product advances. Nanotechnology is also being used to enhance packaging barrier properties. New nano-based food packaging materials with improved mechanical, barrier and antimicrobial properties, and nano-sensors for traceability and monitoring food condition during transport/storage are key development areas for nanotechnology in food packaging. Barrier technology continues to improve and so-called ‘active and intelligent’ packaging is becoming a reality. Active packaging can been seen as a means of maintaining the optimum (desired barrier) conditions to which a food is exposed, while intelligent packaging detects the status of foods (e.g. quality, maturity) inside the package.

Packaging waste is a growing environmental concern, and consumers are seeking more sustainable packaging choices. Range of recyclable materials made from Post Consumer Recycle (PCR) and Bio Based sourcing are becoming available.