Barrier Films in Food Packaging

Barrier Films in Food Packaging

The most common challenge faced by the food industry is preserving, protecting and extending the shelf­life of food products. The quality of most food products gradually deteriorates over a period of time and affects attributes such as flavor, texture, taste and colour of the products. The shelf­ life of food products can be shortened based on the interaction between a number of intrinsic (pH, preservatives, water activity) and extrinsic (temperature, humidity, gaseous environment) parameters.

Keeping this in mind, Cosmo Films has developed a range of solvent­free BOPP barrier films that can be used for a wide range of FMCG packaging applications. These barrier films not only help in extending the shelf life of food products but also reduce packaging material consumption through laminate rationalization.

What are barrier films?

Barrier films are impervious packaging solutions, usually made up of single or multiple layers of flexible films, the material of which depends on the area of application. Barrier films are also coated on either side by different lacquers/resins to obtain desired results.

The effectiveness of a barrier film was earlier measured in terms of its ability to prevent the ingress of oxygen, carbon dioxide and moisture. However, in recent times protection against migration of mineral oil and UV light is also considered important. This impervious nature allows barrier films to protect products such as food from the loss of nutrients and functional properties such as taste, aroma, texture and colour.

The barrier films that are manufactured by Cosmo Films are solvent­free Bi­ axially Oriented Polypropylene (BOPP), generally used in duplex or triplex laminate structures. BOPP started out as a replacement for cellulose film, which was used over 50 years ago, but it can now be used for a vast array of applications.

In typical manufacturing processes, a tenter frame is used to stretch the molten film in both machine and cross dimensions. The biaxial orientation of the film aids in reducing stretching, puncturing and tearing of the film.

Applications of barrier films in the food industry Barrier films can be used to preserve and protect a wide array of food types and products, some of which are listed below: Bakery Goods – These products require the use of perforated films in order to protect them from loss of humidity, while simultaneously preventing water retention so that their crispness stays intact.

Biscuits – These products are usually degraded by humidity uptake which leads to a loss of crispness. Products with chocolate and cream can be affected by oxidation and odor loss or uptake.

Dehydrated foods and beverages – These products require a very high barrier to water, aroma, and oxygen, so as to preserve their long shelf life.

Frozen foods – Raw, semi­cooked, cooked meats, and other frozen foods are highly perishable and need to be packaged using materials that can withstand minus degree temperatures.

Pet food – Wet pet food needs to be packaged using films that are impervious to oxygen, light, and contamination by odor.

Chips and snacks – These products usually degrade through rancidity and require packaging solutions which provide excellent moisture barriers.

Dry fruits, fruits and, nuts – These products need to be packaged using films that offer high gas, oxygen, and moisture barriers.

Types of barrier films Cosmo Films manufactures three types of barrier films as below­ 1.Metalized Barrier Films : [a] High Moisture Barrier (HMB): It is a metalized film that is corona treated on both sides and can be used for sandwich layer lamination in snack foods, shampoo sachets, dry milk powder and powdered drinks sachets/packs and all other products where loss of moisture is a prime concern. [b] High Speed Barrier with High Hot Tack (HSB): The metalized moisture and oxygen barrier film has a High Hot Tack and Low SIT which enables FFS machines to run at a higher speed, thus helping to improve productivity. [c] Ultra High Barrier (UHB): This metalized ultra high barrier film can be used to replace aluminum foil from multi­layer laminated structure since it offers an exceptional MVTR and OTR <0.1 cc.

2.Transparent Barrier Films: [a] Aroma Barrier Film (AB): It is a transparent, coated barrier film specially designed to provide excellent aroma barrier and see through product presentation. It is typically used for overwrapping FMCG products like coffee/tea, spices, cigarette, chewing gum, and even perfume boxes. [b] Aroma & Oxygen Barrier Film (AOB): This transparent film has both excellent moisture and gas barrier properties and is used for packaging cream biscuits, chocolates, chips, and snacks with fatty content. [c] High Barrier Film (HB): It is an uncoated, heat resistant transparent film which has good gas barrier with OTR<100 cc and is used to convert 3 layer laminates to 2 layers for packaging fat content­rich products like dry fruits, noodles, snacks etc.

3.White Barrier Film [a] White Opaque(PVDC Coated) Film: It is a white opaque cavitated BOPP film treated on one side and coated with PVdC on the other side. It offers excellent moisture and gas barrier properties and superior dimensional stability and stiffness. It also provides higher yield because of low density.

When it comes to the food industry, each product has its own characteristics and packaging requirements. Food packaging should therefore provide the right environmental conditions, starting from the time food is packed, through to its consumption. Cosmo Films is driven by customer satisfaction and is committed to provide best barrier film solutions to convertors & brand owners to meet specific requirements of the food industry. Our 38 years of rich experience into packaging industry & team of skilled people developed impeccable film solutions for our valued customers so that our customers can be assured their products reach consumers with the same freshness with which the products left the factory.