Why barrier packaging?
Barriers protect what's inside your package. By limiting the exposure to oxygen, moisture, and light, barriers keep products fresh for longer periods.
Products travel safe and are well-protected on store shelves with the help of barrier packaging.
Flexible plastic films also offer a wide range of barrier protection and offer many advantages over glass or metal. Plastics offer flexibility in design and shape, and they are lightweight and inexpensive. Many plastic films are heat sealable and are easy to print on.
What is a barrier?
A barrier is anything that blocks passage, and this includes what leaves or enters the package. A barrier functions to help
products:
* Keep desirable flavors and aromas in.
* Keep undesirable moisture, oxygen, and gasses out.
* Prevent migration of moisture, oxygen, and gasses from within the film into the packaged goods.
How is a barrier measured in packaging?
A barrier's performance is measured by the Oxygen Transmission Rate (OTR) and the Water Vapor Transmission Rate (WVTR). The lower the transmission rate, the better the barrier performance.
Which barrier should you choose?
That all depends on what your needs are for your products. If you are packaging something non-perishable and don't need a lot of oxygen and moisture vapor protection, then you should stick with a basic-level barrier (though basic barriers are still acceptable for perishable products depending on how long you expect them to stay on the shelf). If you need to keep moisture out (or in on some product) and lock scents in/out, then the high-barrier is the best option.
Cost could also be a consideration here too. Typically the higher the barrier the more expensive the layers are in and of themselves (and you often have multiple layers on top of that). This means a higher cost. Don't overpay for a barrier that you will not need, but don't skimp on a barrier you might need to protect your product just to save on packaging costs. While cost is a consideration, it is just that, a consideration. You might choose a higher barrier for appearances or because you want a certain style. That's fine too...