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Flexible Multilayer Package Materials on the Russian Market
25.06.2009

Research of the Academy of Conjuncture of Industrial Markets

The term “multilayer film” is used only for materials consisting of several layers of synthetic polymers while composite films include layers of different materials – paper and foil.
Wide application of flexible multilayer films is related to almost unrestricted varying of their properties through:
• choice of composite materials’ structure;
• choice of layer sequence;
• provision of certain type of adhesion between layers;
• choice of optimum technology and equipment for required result.
Sequence of film layers, i.e. structure of composite package material is determined by its function. Top layer is a barrier against atmospheric conditions and a printable surface. Common materials are biaxially oriented PE, PP or polyamide films and paper. Core layer provides leak-proof sealing properties of package while mid- and top layer – barrier properties.

TYPES OF FLEXIBLE MULTILAYER FILMS

Here are most popular types of multilayer – composite – films.

BOPP/BOPP

BOPP/BOPP film provides good steam and gas barrier and aroma resistance. BOPP/BOPP film is fat proof, compatible with HFFS and VFFS packing lines both of domestic and foreign origin. This material is used for confectionery, bread and baked goods, grocery, ready-to-eat breakfast, nuts, frozen food like pelmeni, coffee, tea, and also pesticides.

PET/PE

PET/PE film provides good steam and gas barrier, aroma resistance, fat proof, and thermal welding at 140-180 оC. It is compatible with HFFS and VFFS packing lines both of domestic and foreign origin. It also can be used for Doy-pack. Application of PET/PE film is package of coffee, tea, sauces, frozen meat, food ingredients, instant meals, and also house-care products, pesticides, and shampoo.

PET/foil/PE

Triplex based on aluminum foil is the material resistant to high temperatures up to 105 оC typical for pasteurization. This material provides the following properties:
• package durability by high-temperature packing;
• high strength and reliable seal of welded joint;
• perfect barrier properties to gas, moisture, foreign odors, and UV light thus providing longer shelf life of the content;
• high durability, rigidity, and punch resistance;
• applicability for aseptic package;
• shape retaining of package.
PET/foil/PE film is applicable for high-temperature packing which allows application for aseptic package and Doy-pack. Application spheres: package of products with long shelf life, products with high fat content, food ingredients, spices, ketchup, infant food, instant meals, coffee, tea, juice, milk powder, medications, aseptisized medical equipment, and chemicals.

Paper/foil/PE

Paper/foil/PE film provides perfect steam and gas barrier, aroma resistance, and good thermal welding at 140-180 оC. Application of coated label paper allows high-quality offset printing. It is compatible with HFFS and VFFS packing lines both of domestic and foreign origin with operational temperature up to 80 оC. Possible package applications: spices, infant food, food ingredients, tea, coffee, house-care products, chemicals, water-absorbing pharmaceutical, medical equipment and utensils.

Paper/PE

Properties of paper/PE material are similar to paper/foil/PE film; designed for packing machines with no thermal welding. Package applications: butter, margarine, ice-cream and soft cheese products.

Transparent BOPP/foil/PE or Transparent BOPP/foil/PP

Three-layer package materials made of aluminum foil and polymer films have the following properties:
• high gas barrier;
• high moisture resistance;
• perfect barrier to foreign odors;
• UV light barrier;
• high durability, rigidity, and punch resistance;
• shape retaining of package;
• high strength and reliable seal of welded joint.

Transparent BOPP/MET PET, or MET BOPP/PE or MET BOPP/PP

Three-layer package materials made of metallized polymer films provide the following properties:
• high gas barrier;
• high moisture resistance;
• perfect barrier to foreign odors;
• better yield in comparison to package materials based on aluminum foil;
• perfect package exterior;
• high durability and strength of the package;
• high resistance when exposed to strain;
• high strength and reliable seal of welded joint.

APPLICATION OF MULTILAYER AND COMPOSITE MATERIALS

Confectionery package

Confectionery is one of the most popular food categories. Retention of confectionery original taste to a great extent is determined by package quality and material.
Each product has its own priorities for this or that barrier property. For instance, wafer and cookies are low-moisture and fat-rich products, thus package should provide moisture resistance and gas barrier as oxygen is harmful for the fats in the product. Rolls and muffins are wet products thus package should provide high moisture resistance. Chocolate is very sensitive to light and requires protection against oxygen especially if contains nuts or nut filling.

The following multilayer films are mainly used to pack confectionery:
• BOPP/BOPP;
• MET BOPP/BOPP;
• BOPP/CPP;
• BOPP/PE;
• BOPP/paper/PE;
• PET/MET BOPP.

Fat/oil and sauces package

To pack fats/oils and sauces Doy-pack is mainly used. This product category is peculiar for containing chemically aggressive ingredients like acetic and citric acids, vegetable oil and fats. Thus flexible package should be resistant to such ingredients.

Relatively easy oxidizability of fats requires application of gas barrier materials.

Products based on tomato paste – sauces and ketchup – are even more sensitive to environment exposure and thus require extra barrier materials. Besides, such products are usually packed at high temperatures, and therefore package should be heat resistant.

The following laminates are used for packing of fats/oils and sauces:
• PET/BOPP/PE;
• PET/paper/PE;
• PET/PE;
• PET/foil/PE.

Grocery package

To make correct choice of package materials for this product category the following should be considered:
• what the product should not be exposed to which determines choice of barrier material;
• products of this category are dust-forming thus welded joint should be durable and leak-proof;
• products of this group are usually packed on VFFS lines thus package material should provide smooth slide and reliable/durable weld (the so-called Hot tack).

Pasta package also should be high punch resistant.

The following materials are used for groceries’ package:
• BOPP/CPP;
• BOPP/PE;
• BOPP/BOPP.

Package for dry drinks and other sublimated products

Dry drinks require reliable seal and moisture proof properties. Besides, such products as coffee and spices have distinct and specific odor, thus foreign odor barrier is also important.

The following package types are used for this product group:
• one-serving sachets;
• Doy-pack and other upright sachets;
• Flow-pack for VFFS lines.
The following multilayer composite films are used for package of dry drinks:
• PET/foil/PE;
• PET/MET BOPP;
• PET/PE;
• PET/foil/BOPP;
• paper/foil/PE;
• BOPP/foil/PE;
• PET or BOPP/PET, or BOPP/PP, or PE.

Package for dairy products

Ice-cream is a frozen fat-rich product containing milk. It requires protection against UV light and oxygen. Insufficient moisture proof properties of package in some time might affect taste of ice-cream and its components like wafer cup, nuts, etc. This is why BOPP film and laminates are used for this product category.

The group of dairy products packed into multilayer composite materials comprises butter, soft cheese, cheese paste, and glazed curds. The latter are mainly packed into BOPP laminate.

The following laminates are used to pack butter, soft cheese and cheese paste:
• paper/PE/foil/PE;
• paper/foil;
• paper/foil/PE;
• foil/paper/PE.

Package for snacks

Snacks require the following types of multilayer composite materials:
* PET/MET BOPP;
• PET/CPP;
• PET/PE;
• BOPP/BOPP;
• BOPP/foil/PE;
• BOPP/PET or BOPP/PE or PP.

Package for frozen food

Frost resistance of materials and their welds are key requirements to the package of frozen food. The majority of frozen products have sharp edges thus punch resistance is also required. Besides, certain barrier qualities are important – for instance, package for fish should be odor-proof.

The following multilayer materials are mainly used for this product category:
• PET/PE;
• BOPP/PE;
• BOPP/BOPP/PE.

***

RUSSIAN FOOD&DRINKS MARKET MAGAZINE - is a full-colour, illustrated informative and analytical magazine that is devoted to the food market in Russia. It has been in existence since 1993, appears 10 times a year, has up to 144 pages and has a circulation of 45,000 copies.is the acknowledged leader in the field of specialized information about the Russian food market. The magazine is widely known, around Russia and beyond, and has a reputation for being the most competent commentator on questions concerning the progress of goods and services on the Russian food market. Alongside offices in both St Petersburg and Moscow, there are not only representatives in 30 of the biggest cities in Russia but also beyond its borders. It is their job to maintain a good relationship with the readers of the magazine both in Russia and abroad.

Author: Sofia Murzina

Unipack.Ru

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