Barrier packaging is essential in almost every industry. Whether you’re looking to preserve and protect your product or looking to get it to your customer in one piece, the appropriate barrier packaging is vital.
Naturally, there are many options available. If you want to choose the best barrier packaging for your product and business, you need to do a little homework.
Fortunately, we’re here to answer all your barrier packaging questions. Here are the most common FAQs, if you can’t find the answer you’re looking for, don’t hesitate to contact us. We’re here to help.
What Is Barrier Packaging Used For?
barrier packaging image 1 – plastic containers
Barrier packaging is used to protect a product from harm. In its simplest form, barrier packaging is the packaging that surrounds a toy or other product. The packaging’s role is to protect the product from harm.
Barrier packaging is usually a more specific type of packaging. It generally refers to a material that prevents components from entering or leaving a container. For example, a plastic bottle is effective at keeping liquids inside it. However, a plastic bottle made with PE and a layer of EVOH will not allow gasses, chemicals, and other contaminants into the product.
It can even be effective at keeping aromas out of your product.
This effectively prevents the product from being altered or damaged in any way and helps to ensure the consumer gets your product in the condition you intended it to be in.
It’s particularly useful in the food industry, many industries rely on barrier packaging.
Are There Different Types Of Barrier Packaging?
Yes, the types of barrier packaging are basically defined by the amount of protection the barrier is designed to give.
- Single Layer Barrier
As the name suggests, a single-layer barrier consists of one layer of material. It’s generally effective at offering temporary moisture, oxygen, and light protection. It’s only good for a short period of time and won’t help extend the life or quality of your product.
- Multilayer Barriers
These barriers have multiple layers of protection. The layers usually consist of different materials. Common options include PET/PE or PP/PE.
This type of barrier protection offers more protection than a single layer. It can generally protect against moisture ingress, gasses, and even aromas.
There are a range of options with multilayer barriers, the exact characteristics will depend on what materials are used to form the barrier.
- Moderate Barriers
Moderate barriers are the next level up. These generally have an outer layer, an adhesive layer, the barrier layer, followed by more adhesive and the inner layer.
This type of barrier will protect against gasses, moisture, aromas, and even UV light. This type of barrier can help extend the shelf life of a perishable item.
- High Performance Barrier
Unsurprisingly, this is the best option. This type of barrier packaging is made of multiple layers of heavy-duty materials. It’s effective at keeping out gas, moisture, light, (including UV light), and odors. It’s an effective way to ensure your product stays fresh and extends its lifespan.
Why Is Barrier Packaging Important?
barrier packaging image 2 – food containers
The primary aim of barrier packaging products, such as our Srlon containers is to protect food, and other products, from the elements.
Oxygen entering a food product will cause oxidization. This will damage the flavor of your product. Carbon dioxide and other gasses can also alter the flavor.
In addition, barrier packaging can prevent moisture from getting in, or out, of the product. Moisture entering a product can cause bacterial growth which can damage the product or even make it dangerous. Equally, moisture leaving a product will alter the flavor and quality of the contents.
The right barrier protection can also prevent chemicals and solvents from moving in or out of the container. That ensures hazardous products can be kept safely, or that hazardous chemicals don’t find their way into food products.
How Do I Know If I Have the Right Level Of Barrier Packaging?
You can talk to our team here at Srlon and we’ll help you decide which level of barrier protection your product needs.
In general, you’ll need to consider the expected shelf life of the product and what external contaminants could cause an issue for your product.
Once you have decided that, it is much simpler to choose the right barrier packaging. After all, if you need to protect your product from UV light, gasses, moisture, and more, then you’ll need high barrier protection.
When deciding on the right level of barrier protection it’s also worth looking at the cost of the different barrier protection layers versus the shelf life of your product. A higher level of protection may not be necessary.
What’s The Best Barrier Packaging Option For Foods?
PET is often considered the best barrier packaging for food products. The main reason for this is that PET offers a very clear service and is easy to print on. It makes it an efficient option for your food products. It’s designed to be antimicrobial and resist corrosion, helping to maintain the quality of your food.
However, if you’re concerned about aromas getting into your food, gasses altering the flavor, or moisture entering or exiting your food, you may prefer to choose a high-barrier packaging option. We offer containers with a layer of EVOH sandwiched between two layers of PE.
Our services even include up to 5 layers of different materials to create a high barrier resistance. This protects your food from almost anything that could harm it.
Is Barrier Packaging Flexible?
barrier packaging image 3 – plastic sheeting
Barrier packaging isn’t by nature flexible. However, it can be modified during the production process to make it flexible. The first question you need to ask is why you need flexible barrier protection.
In general, flexible barrier packaging is lighter than standard packaging because it’s thinner. This makes it cheaper to transport, the trade-off is that it’s easier for it to be damaged.
One of the best options available is our PE EVOH containers. The PE is strong and flexible. Adding a layer of EVOH reduces the flexibility slightly but dramatically increases its ability to protect the contents of the container.
In most cases, it’s the perfect balancing option.
What Materials Are Used For Moisture Barrier Protection?
To create effective moisture barrier protection in packaging products it’s essential to use multiple layers.
Moisture can be prevented from accessing contents by using foil or metalized films. However, our approach is simpler.
PE is known to prevent the passage of water, that’s why it’s also effective in water bottles. Add a layer of EVOH and you have a container that will prevent many compounds from entering your food product. For example, moisture, gasses, chemicals, and even solvents.
The question is, how advanced do you need your moisture barrier protection to be? If you’re only concerned about moisture, a container made of HDPE will do the job. However, if you’re concerned about other compounds, you’ll want one of our PE EVOH containers.
Can I Design My Own Barrier Packaging?
Yes! Srlon specializes in barrier protection and we offer a vast array of containers that will protect your product. It’s worth taking a look at our range first, you’re likely to find the right container for your needs.
However, if you want a specific multi-layer formula, a uniquely shaped container, or simply fancy your barrier packaging to be personalized, we can help.
You can talk to our specialist customer support team. They’ll be happy to discuss your needs, help you design the right container, and then create it for you.
All you need to do is ask!
What Are The Benefits Of Barrier Packaging?
barrier packaging image 4 – barrier packaging benefits
The most obvious benefit of barrier packaging is that your product is better protected. It extends the shelf life of your product, giving you more time to sell it and make a healthy return on your investment.
In other words, barrier packaging can help your bottom line.
The right packaging can also boost brand awareness and, because your customers are getting your product in perfect condition, it’s likely to boost your reputation. Happy customers will share their experiences and recommend you to others.
That means a boost in customer numbers, sales, and ultimately profit. That’s exactly what you need when you’re running a business.
Is Plastic Sheeting An Effective Moisture Barrier?
Plastic sheeting is used under floors to create a moisture barrier, preventing moisture from rising up from the ground and damaging your choice of flooring. It’s effective, but plastic sheeting isn’t generally effective as barrier packaging.
Why? Because plastic sheeting is hard to wrap around a product without any join lines. A join line is an opportunity for moisture and other contaminants to enter your product, damaging it.
While plastic sheeting is an effective moisture barrier, if you’re looking to protect your products you’ll be better off with dedicated barrier packaging materials.
Fortunately, Srlon has everything you need.
Is Barrier Packaging A Cost-Effective Approach?
Yes. Your product needs to be wrapped in some form of packaging. It protects it and gives your product an identity.
Creating and using customized barrier protection will cost slightly more. However, your product will last longer and stay fresher. This increases your ability to sell it and for it to remain tasting fantastic.
Both of these factors will provide your customers with a better experience. They are likely to share their experience with friends. Because they were impressed by the service, they are likely to recommend it to other friends. This is likely to lead to new customers.
As such, you should see barrier packaging as an investment that will boost your sales and public image. That makes it cost-effective in the long term.
What’s A Good Barrier Against Moisture And Gas?
EVOH is an excellent choice to protect your product from gasses getting in or out. It can also protect your product from chemicals and solvents. However, it can’t stop moisture from passing through and, if the EVOH gets wet it will no longer be effective at preventing gasses, chemicals, and solvents from getting into your product.
That’s why we sandwich EVOH between two sections of PE. The PE is waterproof, no moisture can get through it.
By sandwiching the two layers together we can create an effective barrier packaging material, capable of keeping moisture and gas out.
What Are The Three P’s Of Barrier Packaging?
barrier packaging image 5 – well-presented packages
Every barrier packaging material should conform to the three P’s. That’s protection, preservation, and presentation.
All our barrier packaging products can protect your products from a variety of contaminants. You simply need to choose the right product for your needs. They will also help to preserve the product, ensuring the customer gets it in the same condition as when you packaged it.
Perhaps most importantly, our barrier packaging options will help your product look good and establish your brand. The right container can boost brand awareness and ultimately sales.
Which Is The Best Barrier Packaging Material?
We highly recommend our PE EVOH PE barrier packaging containers. They are very effective at looking after your product, preserving it, and ensuring it is a good representation of your business.
However, the best barrier packaging material depends on what you need to protect your product from and what your budget is. There are many options available, and we stock most of them.
We can help you decide on which barrier packaging option is the best one for your needs. Contact us today and let us help you!
