Barrier properties are an essential part of packaging systems and are vital to preserving the quality of packaged foods. There’s a reason why a lot of work goes into developing food contact materials: packaging is there to present a product and add visual appeal, but above all to protect the contents and prolong their shelf life. Food containers and wrappers need to offer effective barrier properties against vapor, grease, light and oxygen. 

Over the past few decades, plastic and composite packaging materials have become widespread. These materials tend to offer excellent technical performance, and are far more versatile than traditional packaging such as glass or aluminium cans. They do come with one major downside though: they are energy-intensive to produce and difficult to recycle. As companies pay more attention to the environmental impact of their activities, many are looking towards sustainable alternatives.

Thankfully, recent advances in research have enabled monomaterials such as metallized paper to offer barrier properties comparable to those of plastics or foils. Ice Cream Cones for example, are traditionally packaged using plastic materials. Nissha Metallizing Solution's METIVO product line has a recyclable and sustainable alternative to this.

Questions? Don't hesitate and get in touch with our team!