Deciding on the barrier film for your packaging application can be a complicated process. There are many variables to consider in order to best preserve your packaged product. This presentation explains the different types of barrier films used for food packaging.

1. Your Packaging Matters People!
Barrier Films & Laminations for Food Packaging

2. Deciding on the barrier film for your
packaging application can be a
complicated process. There are
many variables to consider in order
to best preserve your packaged
product.
Established in 1968 Pyramid
Packaging is a value-added, and
ISO 9001 compliant supplier of
packaging films.

3. Pyramid Packaging can help
you select which of the
following types of film
barriers are required for your
packaging application.

4. Advantages of film barriers
•UV protection
•prevents oxygen transfers
•prevents odors
•enhances moisture barrier properties
•enhances gas barrier properties

5. Oxygen Transfer Rate
is used to measure the
amount of oxygen that
passes through a film.
The lower the number,
the better the film barrier.

6. Foil (aluminum) backings
offer the best best barrier
protection with an OTR of
0. Foil is often used in
candy wrappers, and to
preserve chocolate.

7. EVOH (ethylene vinyl
alcohol) barrier films have a
excellent OTR at .6 cc/m²).
EVOH barriers are often
used to package meat, fish
& poultry related products.

8. MPET when OPP/BOPP
films are laminated with
metal foil (MET) it will
increase the film’s oxygen &
water barrier & block out UV
rays. Because of the film’s
stiffness, its used as a wrap
for hard candies, chocolates
& is resistant to heat and
moisture.

9. KPET is a soft saran
coated PET film with good
transparency. It is used as a
substrate to laminate with
other films. KPET has
excellent gas, moisture and
vapor properties making
suitable for packaging of dry
goods and protecting
fragrant related items.

10. PET (polyester) is very good oxygen
barrier, heat resistant & strong film with
good durability. PET film is an excellent
laminating substrate for stand-up pouches.
When PET films are laminated with metal
foil it will increase the film’s oxygen- water
barrier & block out UV rays. Metallized
films for flexible packaging are essential
when the product requires extra protection
to ensure a longer shelf life MET PET
provides protective properties for food
items requiring restricted visibility.

11. Nylon films have a high
melting point and are used
for cooking applications
such as boiling, microwaving
& baking. They have very
good clarity & moisture
barriers & considered a very
strong film.

12. Polypropylene is
soft, clear glossy film with
good moisture barriers &
high oxygen transfer
rates. They are often used
for plastic food bags.

13. LLDPE
barrier films are inexpensive and have
good clarity. They are used to package
fresh, produce, frozen foods & baked
goods.
Because of their high OTR of 2500, they
work well when the package requires
oxygen.

14. Commonly Used Food Packaging Terms
Barrier Level: a films ability to prevent moisture from penetrating the film itself
Clarity: the measurement of a film’s transparency
Converting: process of cutting a plastic film it into lengths, bond the edges, resulting in plastic bags
Film Gauge: film thickness measured in mils
Laminated Films: Lamination (bonding together) of two or more films that improves the appearance, barrier
properties
Metallized: applying a thin coating of metal to a nonmetallic surface by chemical deposition or by exposing
the surface to vaporized metal in a vacuum chamber
Packaging Films: are melted plastic resin which are extruded into sheets or rolls
Sealability: bonding process between two layers of film

15. Est. in 1968, Pyramid Packaging is a
value-added supplier of flexible
packaging films, equipment & services.

16. We are a stocking supplier of flexible
packaging films.

17. Service
We create value by working with clients who
need help in selecting and customizing their
packaging films.

18. Pyramid Packaging can customize your plastic
packaging films & barriers according to your
blend, size & graphic design.

19. By working with
our packaging
experts, we’ll
ensure you get the
right barrier film for
your application
while reducing
cost.

20. 2901 Shermer Road Northbrook, Il 60062
ph: 847-272-3400
info@pyramidpackaging.com
www.pyramidpackaging.com
Contact Pyramid Packaging