Polymers in Flexible Packaging

Jayshree Khangar, Sonia Rana

#
Indian Institute of Packaging
E-2, Midc Area, Andheri East
Mumbai-400 093
Maharastra India
[email protected]
[email protected]

Abstract
The main aim of this report is to understand the Flexible
Packaging Industry and the Polymers used. B. Materials
The Industry - wise break up of Flexible Packaging market.
Types of polymers used in Flexible Packaging and their
compatibility for different industries like Food & Retail,
cosmetic, Pharmaceutical, and Industry products etc. TABLE 1
Choosing the right polymers, their manufacturing and LIST OF PACKAGING MATERIALS
printing process.
Various Barrier films used in flexible packaging with
different laminated structure.
Benefits and contributions of the flexible packaging industry Material Form Advantage Disadvantage
and its products. Paper & Cartons Low Cost Low Tear Strength
Various advantages like waste reduction, saving energy and Paper Boxes Relative Low Wet Strength
reducing greenhouse gas emissions, extended shelf life, easy based Bags Weightlessness Less Durability
storage, microwave ability and reseal ability. products Wrappers Easy Disposal
A comparative analysis of Flexible Packaging Polymers with Easy
other packaging material like Rigid Plastic, Glass and Availability
Aluminium. Plastics Bag Ease of Poor Strength
New Developments in flexible packaging films such as Wrappers Fabrication Temperature
Breathable properties, Biodegradable films, High-barrier Pouches Highly Versatile Sensitive
resins, MAP & CAP vacuum packaging, Gas flush packaging Cartons Light Weight Environment
resulting in Microwavable pouches, Reseal able Stand-up Bottles Highly Sensitive
pouches, Retort pouches and Pouring Spouts are also covered. Containers Corrosion Higher Shrinkage
Resistant Poor Creep
Ease of Behavior
Decoration
Highly Energy
I. INTRODUCTION
Saving
Aluminium Collapsible Good Barrier Not suitable for
A. Packaging Tube Properties Microwave oven
Packaging is the technique of storing or placing a product Foil Greaseproof More
in liquid, solid or powdered form into a protective Containers Shrink Proof Transportation
container or wrapper to protect, carry, identify and Cans Tasteless, Odor Cost
merchandise the product. Packaging of any product is a Closure less More Shelf Space
vital link between the manufacturer and the consumer for Hygienic
the safe delivery of the product through the various stages, Glass Bottles Transparent Higher Weight
starting from manufacturing, storing, transporting, Jars Good Strength Fragile
Jugs Higher Rigidity High Energy
distribution to marketing. Excellent Gas & Consumption
India’s packaging market is about Rs 40,000 Cr. with an Water Vapour Light sensitive
average growth of 15 percent per annum. On an average, Barrier
packaging costs constitute 45 percent of the final price of Chemically Inert
the product.
Tinplate Cans Good Strength Higher Weight Toothpaste Tubes Metal HDPE, LLDPE,
Containers Excellent Corrosive PP
Barrier More Shelf Space Soaps Paper Polyester film,
Properties PVC
Eco-Friendly Fertilizers Jute PP Woven Sacks
Longest Shelf Retail Carrier Bags Paper, Jute LDPE, HDPE
Life Oil Tinplate, Plastic PE, LDPE, Nylon
Laminates Pouches Good Strength Environment Rigid Containers Laminates
Films Good Barrier Sensitive
Tubes Properties Temperature
Bags Grease Sensitive
Resistance Lesser Shelf Life
Heat Seal
Flexible Packaging Consumption Pattern
Property Other Food
Tea
3% 11%
Snacks
Chewing
C. Flexible Packaging 6%
Tobacco
Biscuits 32%
Flexible Package is a material like foil or paper or plastic 6%
films sheeting which, when filled and sealed, acquires Confectionery
pliable shape and is used to form products like bags, 6%
envelopes, pouch, sachets and wraps Food Staples Other Non-Food
6% 30%
Polymers play a vital role in the field of packaging and
flexible packages in the form of laminates and multilayer
coextruded films are expected to dominate the field. These
are mainly used in Retail applications. Fig 1 Consumption Pattern

D. Rigid vs Flexible F. Growth Drivers for Flexible Packaging

TABLE 2 Food packaging, stand-up pouches, CAP/MAP, improved
RIGID VS FLEXIBLE
barrier properties using barrier resins like EVOH, PVDC,
SiO2
Parameters Flexible Rigid
Weight Light Heavy
Convenience features such as spout, re-closable lid etc.
Performance Exact performance Better by Larger use of laminates with barrier enhancement
requirement by Composite properties without foil and metallising by using materials
Composite Structure Technology like films with plasma coated SiO2 on PET or BOPP as
Raw Materials Very less More well as nano materials.
Consumption (1 kg pouch weighs (1 kg container Biodegradable and renewable resource materials like starch
8gm) takes 40gm) and PLA for avoiding the ecological problems.
Sizes Suitable for Smaller Suitable for Solvent less lamination.
Packs Bigger Packs
Storage & Space 60-70% less More
Re-use Not possible Can be Re-Used
G. Key Drivers for Flexible Packaging
Energy 30-40% less More
Conservation (Manufacturing,
Transportation ) The demand for Multilayer films in increasing on account
Reseal ability Possible Not Possible of gradual shift from
Disposal Easy Difficult Loose to Packed products
Rigid to Flexible packaging providing lower costs &
E. Shift in Packaging Trends weight
Small pack and shelf appeal
TABLE 3
SHIFTS IN PACKAGING TRENDS II. MANUFACTURING PROCESS

Product Conventional Current A. Extrusion

Milk Glass Film Pouches
Beverage Glass, Tinplate, PET In the extrusion of plastics, raw thermoplastic material in
Aluminium
the form of small beads (often called resin in the industry)
Pharmaceuticals Paper, Glass PVC, HDPE, PP
Laminated tubes is gravity fed from a top mounted hopper into the barrel of
the extruder.
The material enters through the feed throat (an opening
near the rear of the barrel) and comes into contact with the
screw. The rotating screw (normally turning at up to 120
rpm) forces the plastic beads forward into the barrel which
is heated to the desired melt temperature of the molten
plastic (which can range from 200 °C (392 °F) to 275 °C
(527 °F) depending on the polymer). In most processes, a
heating profile is set for the barrel in which three or more
independent PID controlled heater zones gradually increase
the temperature of the barrel from the rear (where the
plastic enters) to the front. This allows the plastic beads to
melt gradually as they are pushed through the barrel and
lowers the risk of overheating which may cause
degradation in the polymer

Fig 3 Co-Extrusion Process

C. Blown Film Extrusion

Blown film extrusion is the process by which most

commodity and specialized plastic films are made for the
packaging industry. The film blowing process basically
consists of a extruding a tube of molten thermoplastic.
Plastic melt is extruded through an annular slit die, usually
vertically, to form a thin walled tube. Air is introduced via
a hole in the centre of the die to blow up the tube like a
balloon. Mounted on top of the die, a high-speed air ring
blows onto the hot film to cool it. The tube of film then
continues upwards, continually cooling, until it passes
through nip rolls where the tube is flattened to create what
is known as a ' lay-flat' tube of film.

Fig 2 Extrusion Process

B. Co-Extrusion
Co-extrusion is the extrusion of multiple layers of material
simultaneously. This type of extrusion utilizes two or more
extruders to melt and deliver a steady volumetric
throughput of different viscous plastics to a single
extrusion head (die) which will extrude the materials in the
desired form. This technology is used on any of the
processes described above (blown film, over jacketing,
tubing, and sheet). The layer thicknesses are controlled by
the relative speeds and sizes of the individual extruders
delivering the materials.

Fig 4 Basic Blown Film

D. Cast film process
Polymer is plasticized & homogenized in the extruder. B. Ultrasonic Sealing
Melt is passed through coat hanger die. The extrudate
comes out of a die as thin, wide curtain of the film. Molten An alternate bonding method is ultrasonic sealing. In
film is quenched in water tank or onto a chilled roll. Finally ultrasonic sealing, mechanical oscillations are transferred
film is corona treated, slit and rolled. under force into a polymeric material, which results in heat
friction, as well as intermolecular and boundary friction, at
the joint to be sealed. The friction causes a build-up of heat
and melts the material at the joint. The melted polymer
molecules intermingle, also forming a strong bond after the
material has cooled and re solidified. An advantage of
ultrasonic sealing is that it provides a quick melting of the
polymeric material. Further, ultrasonic seals are readily
monitored for quality control and can be formed even
through any contamination present on the polymeric
material.

C. Impulse sealing

The process of joining thermoplastic sheets by pressing

them between elements equipped to provide a pulse of
intense thermal energy to the sealing area for a very short
time, followed immediately by cooling. The heating
element may be a length of thin resistance wire such as
Nichrome, or an RF heated metal bar which is cored for
water cooling. It is also known as Thermal Impulse
Fig 5 Cast Film Process
Sealing.

III. SEALING METHODS

IV. POLYMERS IN FLEXIBLE PACKAGING
Flexible films, packages, and methods of making the same
are provided where the film is capable of being sealed to A. Desirable Attributes of Commonly Used Flexible
itself or to other films by more than one sealing method, Materials
including thermal sealing and ultrasonic sealing. A method
for sealing a film includes the steps of providing a TABLE 4
multilayer film having at least a sealant layer and an outer FLEXIBLE SUBSTRATES & ATTRIBUTES
layer, folding the multilayer film to provide a folded film
including at least three layers of multilayer film, and Flexible Substrates Primary Functions
applying mechanical oscillations to seal the folded film Paper Stiffness and Printability
flexible plastic packaging for foods and beverages is well Foil Barrier Properties & Aesthetic
known. Appeal
Cellophane Clarity & Printability
A. Thermal sealing LDPE Heat Seal ability & Barrier
properties
EVA Strength & Heat Seal ability
Typically, thermoplastic material can be thermally sealed HDPE Stiffness & Low EVTR
to itself or another polymeric material. Specifically, heat BOPP Clarity & Barrier properties
and pressure are applied to the thermoplastic material for a Polyester Impact & Barrier properties
period of time, referred to as the "dwell time," to melt the PVC Economy & Versatility in uses
polymers. The liquefied polymer molecules at the joint are Nylon Strength, Grease & Oil
thus allowed to intersperse, forming a strong bond once the Resistance
polymeric materials cool and resolidify. Thermal sealing Coating Materials Primary Functions
may be easily performed in a continuous manner and is Paraffin Waxes Low Temperature Seal ability
inexpensive to incorporate into a machine design. PVDC Grease Resistance & Barrier
properties
Ionomer Heat Seal ability & Grease
resistance
Lacquer Gloss Films N2 O2 H2O CO2 SO2
BOPP 7 35 140 175 280
PP 18 90 360 450 720
Flexible Packaging Polymers HDPE 15 75 300 375 600
PVDC 0.06 0.3 300 1.5 2.4
LDPE 50 250 1000 1250 2000
PET
10%
PVC 1 5 20 25 40
EVA 80 400 1600 2000 3200
Cellophane 5 25 100 125 200
PP PS 20 15 60 75 120
PE 31% Nylon11 3 100 400 500 800
59% Cellulose 25 125 500 625 1000
Acetate
Cellophane 10 50 200 250 400

All figures in g cm / cm2 h (mm Hg ) *10^12

Fig 6 Flexible Packaging Polymers

D. Monolayer – Shrink Films

B. Mechanical Properties of Polymers

TABLE 5 TABLE 7
MECHANICAL PROPERTIES OF POLYMER MONOLAYER SHRINK FILMS

Film Type Advantages Possible Problems

Propert Uni BO HD LD Cellop PVC PE (Low Strong Heat Seals Narrow Shrink
y t PP PE PE hane Density) Low Temperature Temperature Range
Thickne Mic 0.81 0.95 0.92 1.4 - 1.2 - Shrink Low Stiffness, Poorer
ss ron 5 5 1.5 1.5 Lowest Cost Optical
Yield m2 45 42.5 43.5 27 - 28 - Contamination
(per kg 29 32 PP High Stiffness High Shrink
of 25 High Shrink Force Temperature
micron) Good Durability Not suitable for Fragile
Tensile Kg/ 100 190 150 800 - 200- products
Strength cm2 0- - 1000 560 Brittle Seals
150 200 C. PP (Co- Strong Heat Seals Higher Heat Seal
0 Per polymers) Good Optical Temperature
Elongati % 70- - 200 10-50 25-60 Appearance Lower Film Slip
on 100 - High Shrink Force Higher Shrink
800 Temperature
Tear g/ 8- - 50- 10 10 PVC Lowest Shrink Weakest range seals
Strength 25m 12 200 Temperature Corrosive Gas
icro Excellent Optic Emission from Heat
n Lowest Shrink Force Sealing
Burstin Mul 100 - 10- 20-12 30-40 for Wrapping Fragile Low Film Slip
g len/ 12 products
Strength poin
ts
Gloss % 85 0- 0- 785 76-82
40 75
Haze % 2 10- 4- 2-4 8-198
50 50
Heat 0C 90- 135 120 120- 175-
Seal 140 - - 175 215
Range 200 200 E. Multilayer Films – Two Layer Films
meability to Gases
TABLE 8
MULTILAYER FILMS
TABLE 6
PERMEABILITY TO GASES Material Properties Applications
Combination
LLDPE/EVA Easily Welded Stretch Wrap
 Seal ability Medical Articles
Can be Sterilized Baked Goods
PP/EVA Transparency Food Stuff
Stiffness Tomato Purce
Seal ability Pet Foods
High Strength Corn Flakes
EVA/HDPE Sterilisable Blood Plasma
Baked Food
PP/PP Easily Weld able Packaging Film for
Easily Printable Bread,
Smooth Surface Jam, Dairy
Products
PA6/Ionomer Good Seal ability Packaging film for
Gas & Aroma Meat,
Tight Cheese
EVA/Ionomer Grease proof Coconuts
Cocktail Snacks
LDPE/LDPE Micro pore Sealed Milk Bags
Multi Colored General Packaging

F. Structure

TABLE 9
STRUCTURE OF LAYERS
Fig 7 Multilayer Film Structure
3 layer Outer layer Printing, Seal ability, strength &
barrier
Middle layer Strength, barrier mainly gas
aroma retention G. Multilayer Films – Three Layer Films
Inner layer Seal ability, Machine ability,
strength barrier TABLE 10
Outer layer Printing, Seal ability, Strength 2 LAYER FILMS
Bonding layer Good bond strength,
compatibility Material Properties Applications
Middle layer Gas barrier strength Combination
5 layer Bonding layer Good bond strength PP/ PP + Chalk/PP Low Shrinkage Precooked Food
Inner layer Machine ability, Seal ability, Smooth Outer Packaging
Strength, Hot Tack Strength. Layer
Easily Printable
PP/ PP + Regernate Low Temperature Deep Freeze
/PP Resistance Packs
Low Material Cost
LDPE/EVA/PP High Impact Blood Packaging
Resistance Bag Production
Non Stick Outer
Layer
Good
Transparency
EVA/LLDPE/LDPE High Extensibility Stretch film for
Good Adhesive Palette Packaging
Properties Adhesive
Packaging Sheet
Ionomer /PA/ Ionomer Good Seal ability Vacuum
Good Packaging
Transparency
Reduced tendency
to Roll
 pouches are that they have excellent print ability with easy
H. Multilayer Films – Five Layer Films tearing material.
Materials used in making packaging pouches are Polyvinyl
TABLE 11 Chloride, Polyolefin, PP, Polyester etc.
MULTILAYER FILMS
Types of packaging pouches
Material Properties Applications
Combination
LDPE/ION/PA/ION/ Gas, Steam & Meat, Fish, Cheese 1) Vacuum Pouch
LDPE Aroma Tight
No tendency to Vacuum pouches help preserve the sealed product in cold
curl and hot temperatures and are used in conjunction with
LDPE/BA/EVOH/ Gas, Steam & Milk Powder vacuum packaging equipment. These pouches reduce the
BA/LDPE Aroma Tight Wine Packaging atmosphere in a package to protect and preserve the
Moisture Barrier Fish freshness of food products, like meat and poultry, seafood,
LDPE/Bonding/PA6/ Moisture Barrier Vacuum cheese etc. They are also used to keep other non-food
Bonding/LDPE Good Seal Packaging
ability Packaging of
products like medical and pharmaceutical items sterile and
Good Sausage, Meat, to prevent oxidation. This vacuum packaging and can be
Transparency Ham UV resistant. They extend the shelf life of products as the
vacuum slows down the oxidation process.
2) Stand-Up Pouch

Also known as SUPs have actually changed the face of

I. Packaging Polymers in Different Industries consumer packaging for various products like coffee, milk,
fruit juice, and soup mixes. They have a definite use for
TABLE 12 industrial applications as well Stand up pouches give
POLYMERS IN DIFFERENT INDUSTTRIES retailers new opportunities to display products and
Industry Polymers Used maximize shelf space. Manufacturers can also reduce their
Pharma •Nylon/Foil Laminates packaging costs by eliminating the original style of bag-in-
•Paper/Foil Laminates a-box method of packaging. The wide face of the SUP is
•Polyester/Foil Laminates perfect for an elaborate label or high quality print design.
•LDPE foils Stand up pouch with spout is just perfect for beverage
•PVC-coated Paper
•Aluminum foil laminates
packaging.
•Tube laminates
•Sachet/pouch laminates 3) High Temperature Retort Pouch
•Blister lidding
•Cold formed laminate etc High temperature retort pouches are considered to be good
Food barrier to gas, moisture, smell and light, and used to pack
Packaging of fresh PET, Nylon, PE Laminates, vegetable, bamboo, Ready to eat food etc. They are
and frozen food Aluminium foil resistant to oil and contamination. These pouches are made
Ready-to-eat Films coated with Aluminium or from high quality raw materials like Aluminium, PET, PE,
packages (PVDC) or metalized and clear PP
films
composite, laminated, strong, and can be high temperature
Diary •Metalized plastic films cooked. They can be heat sealed. They are suitable for gas
•PVDC coated films conditioning packaging and microwaveable food packaging
•Laminates – Polyolefin, PP, and processed foods. Due to the flexible pouch being
LDPE/PE, LLDPE/PE thinner and heating more efficiently, process time is shorter
•Nylon and processing temperature lower.
•LDPE
B. Packaging Bags

V. TYPES OF FLEXIBLE PACKAGING Packaging bags are available in a wide variety of shapes,
styles and materials. These bags are used for holding
A. Packaging Pouch objects in bulk. They are used in a variety of applications.
Packing bags are meant for everyday use. They are
The packaging pouches are used for packing all kinds of convenient to use and protect various contents through safe
items but not large quantities. The packaging pouches or storage. They have visual appeal.
sachets provide sealing safety. The greatest advantages of
Materials used in making packaging bags are Plastic, layer LDPE blown film with EVOH, Nylon, PVDC as
Nylon, and Polyester etc. barrier layer is used. This is mainly used for Perishable
Foods.
Types of packaging bags
B. CAP
1) Vegetables Bag
Specially designed to store vegetables and fruits in Intentional alteration of the natural gaseous environment
refrigerators. They are breathable bags to keep vegetables and maintenance of that atmosphere, at a specified
and fruits fresh. condition through out the distribution cycle regard less of
the temperature or other environmental variations.
2) Vacuum Bags
A good packaging bag to pack frozen food, red meat, bread C. Bag – in – Box
and process meat and which also which lengthens the shelf
life of the food. Bag-in-Box is bulk packaging system for both solids and
liquids. It consists of a collapsible bag housed in a rigid
3) Woven Packaging Bags outer container. The bag actually consists of 2 bags: an
Woven bags in both laminated and un-laminated variety are inner bag to contain the liquid and an outer one to provide
capable of bearing heavy weight. barrier properties. The inner bag is heat sealed around the
edges to the outer bag. A tubular spout is heat sealed onto
4) Courier Packaging Bags the inner and outer bags during the bag manufacturing
Such bags are high quality, water-proof packaging bags process and is fitted with a valve through which the product
which find wide application in the postal departments and is filled and dispensed. Combination of LDPE, HDPE,
courier agencies. LLDPE, VLDPE, EVA, Metalized Polyester and Nylon are
most commonly used for most bag applications.

C. Laminated Tubes
Laminated Tube has a sleeve comprising even up to 10 D. High Barrier Resins –
layers. A threaded or a plug-type, which is injection-
moulded is also provided. Polyolefin Plastomers

TABLE 13
TYPICAL STRUCTURE Performance Benefits
Superior Seal Ability Package Integrity & Faster Filling
High Hot Tack & Heat Speeds
From Outside to Inside
Seal Strength
Layer Function
Low Heat Seal Initiation
LDPE & Antistat Dust Preventive Temperature
LDPE/Printing Ink Printed Cover Excellent Optics Consumer appeal
White pigmented LDPE Back-up for Printed Surface Very Good Toughness Package Integrity
Paper Non-stretch web-base Good Process Ability Can run on LLDPE lines
LDPE Paper Lamination/Primer Cost Efficiency Much lower cost than Ionomers
Ethylene Acrylic Acidic Bonding Layer
Copolymer
Aluminium Foil/Met Films Barrier
Ethylene Acrylic Acidic Bonding Layer E. Vacuum Packaging
Copolymer
LDPE Sealant Layer The vacuum environment removes atmospheric oxygen,
protecting the food from spoiling by limiting the growth of
aerobic bacteria or fungi, and preventing the evaporation of
VI. NEW DEVELOPMENTS volatile components. Vacuum packing is commonly used
for long-term storage of dry foods such as cereals, nuts,
A. MAP cured meats, cheese, smoked fish, coffee, and crisps. It is
also for storage of fresh foods such as vegetables, meats,
The Shelf-life extension is achieved by ‘Modifying the and liquids such as soups in a shorter term because vacuum
atmosphere inside the structure. Generally this is done by condition cannot stop bacteria from getting water which
injecting gas mixture inside the container – either Carbon – can promote their growth. Vacuum packaging food can
Dioxide, Nitrogen or Oxygen. In most MAP applications, extend its life by up to 3-5 times. The mainly used
conventional Multilayer, high barrier films such as a 5 polymers are EVOH, PC, PVDC, Nylon etc.
F. Slider Zipper
25 cm3 sample
The printed and laminated stand up pouches with zip lock
are provided smooth and stable finish with wide sealing,
temperature tolerance. These features make it compatible to aluminum foil
store contents on extreme temperature. These pouches have
been provided such dimensions that can be used to position water petri dish
these pouches straight in display.

G. Press to Close Zipper

The Double Zipper ensures complete bag closure and J. Retort Packaging
provides added seal security to lock out air and keep foods
fresh. It features two sets of interlocking profiles Retort able Flexible packaging materials are defined by the
strategically spaced to guide consumers' fingers along a ASTM as ‘those capable of withstanding specified thermal
path when closing a package. As a result, the closure processing in a closed retort at temperature above 100
mechanism is more easily aligned, providing a complete degree C. The polymers used are PET, PC, and PP. It is
seal each time the product is used. preferred for low acid food with moderate to large-size
particles because of ease of removing oxygen from the
H. Spouts head space by gas flushing and also because a crisp texture
obtained through freezing is possible only with the retort
The pouch can contain a multitude of liquid and semi- packaging system.
viscous products, including a wide variety of condiments
such as tomato ketchup, mayonnaise, sauces, gravies and K. Aseptic Packaging
beverages. The current non-food applications are for
products such as shampoo, lotions, detergents, motor oil Aseptic Packaging involves a sterile product that is sealed
and paint. The spout closure may be applied and positioned into a sterile package under sterile conditions thus
in the top corner, top centre or front panel. A spout can eliminating the need to sterilize the product package system
even be sealed into the top or bottom gusset of the pouch, after filling. The commonly used polymers are PET, PVC,
depending on the specific design attributes of the and PVDC. These are used for packaging of Jams, Jellies,
application. and Sausages etc.

I. Breathable Films
VII. REFERENCES
“Films allowing the transfer of the gases at moderate to [1] Library Reference
high transmission rates are considered as breathable.” Indian Institute of Packaging, Mumbai
Breathable films are capable of transmitting water vapor Indian Plastic Institute, Mumbai
but resistant to the passage of water in a liquid form. A film [2] URL
is called as "breathable" if it has a water vapor transmission http://packartpackaging.tradeindia.com
rate of at least 100 g mil / day / m2, measured using ASTM http://www.packaging-films.com
E96-93 method, with minor variations as described in the http://www.marketresearch.com/product
http://www.medicalpackagingindia.com/industry
test. (7, 8, 9) . Breathable films are produced by http://www.expresspharmaonline.com
compounding a PP or PE resin with mineral filler. www.flexpackmag.com
www.flexpack.org
TABLE 14
BREATHABLE FILMS [3] Magazines
Packaging Today
Breathability testing Popular Plastics & Packaging
The gases which are most commonly used to describe the Plastics & Polymers
breathability of films are water vapor (moisture vapor) and IPI Journal
oxygen. The water vapor transmission test (WVTR) and Packaging Technology
Modern Plastics India
oxygen transmission test (OTR) are used to measure the Polymer Business
mass or volume of gas transported through the cross- Plastic Sandesh
section of the film in a given unit of time at a defined set of
environmental conditions. (6) This test procedure follows
the Modified ASTM E96-93 test. (4)