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Barrier
Also known as: barrier, high barrier film, barrier packaging, oxygen barrier, moisture barrier, light barrier
Barrier is a packaging material's ability to stop oxygen, moisture, light, aroma or grease passing into or out of the pack.
Barrier describes how well a packaging material limits the passage of oxygen, water vapour, light, aroma and grease. It is one of the main factors behind a product's shelf life.
Types of barrier
Barrier materials
Aluminium foil gives very high barrier. Metallised films offer good barrier at lower cost. EVOH, PVDC and AlOx/SiOx coated films provide oxygen barrier while staying transparent.
Barrier also depends on seal quality, flex-cracking during handling, and weak points such as zippers or windows. Over-specifying barrier simply adds cost, so define what your product really needs protection from and how long it must last. Share the product type, target shelf life, storage conditions and whether you need a see-through pack, then validate the chosen structure with a real shelf life test where the product is sensitive.
Frequently asked
What is a high barrier pouch?
A pouch whose structure strongly limits oxygen and moisture, typically using aluminium foil, metallised film, EVOH or coated barrier films.
Does a zipper reduce barrier?
Once opened and reclosed, a zipper does not seal as tightly as the original heat seal, so barrier after first opening is lower.
Related terms
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