High barrier packaging — low gas transmission rate

How does High Gas Barrier Film extend product life, and why block gas transmission?

• High Gas Barrier Film is a plastic film that blocks the transmission of gases — particularly oxygen and water vapour, which react with food or products inside the package and cause chemical deterioration (such as oxidation) and biological deterioration (such as microbial growth). Used together with active packaging, it extends shelf life as effectively as possible.
• Examples of High Gas Barrier Film that block both oxygen and water vapour well, suitable for use with an Oxygen Absorber, Silica Gel or Ethanol Emitter: K-NYLON bags (polyvinylidene chloride-coated nylon), foil or laminated bags (laminated aluminium foil), and EVOH bags (coextruded ethylene-vinyl alcohol copolymer).
• Examples of High Moisture Barrier Film that block water vapour well but block oxygen poorly — suitable for extending the life of dry foods when used with Silica Gel, but not suitable with an Oxygen Absorber: PE bags (polyethylene) and PP bags (polypropylene).
• Examples of films that are neither High Gas Barrier nor High Moisture Barrier, but are often mistaken for them: PET bags (polyethylene terephthalate) and nylon bags (often called vacuum bags). These should not be used with an Oxygen Absorber and/or Silica Gel. If they must be used, a much larger Oxygen Absorber and/or Silica Gel size is required, and shelf-life extension will only be moderate.

Benefits of using High Gas Barrier Film

• Preserves freshness, quality and shelf life
• Allows preservatives to be left out, for health-conscious consumers
• Opens wider markets, creating opportunities and expanding sales channels
• Reduces product returns and strengthens brand image
• Makes production planning and inventory control easier
• Preserves seasonal raw materials so production and distribution can run all year round
• Helps reduce food loss and waste

Usage recommendations

• A hermetic seal is required — heat sealing, for example — to prevent gas transmission through the seal itself.
• Examples of closures that are not hermetic: sealing a bag with adhesive tape, staples, twist ties or rubber bands.
• Can be used together with vacuum packing or nitrogen flush packing.
• Please contact our technical sales team for advice and technical information on using low gas transmission packaging.