Flexible Packaging Pouches For Important Applications

The Packaging Industry has been facing a tremendous transformation as the need for hygienic packaging has increased worldwide in terms of variety and volume. Vacuum packing is one of the most popular methods adopted to store products and preserving them for a relatively long period.  Vacuum pouches, which enable this form of packaging are available in various sizes and assortments and have a high strength factor. They provide thorough protection against moisture and oxygen and are available in numerous barrier levels like High, medium, and low. The Vacuum pouches are very well suited in MAP applications for food and non-food services for the retail industries and industrial usage.

Need for Vacuum Pouches and Bags

It is crucial to get an extended shelf life of food products without altering the quality and nature of the food as well as without spoiling it. The integration of the world economy requires packaged food to travel from one part of the world to another and the vacuum pouches can prevent food spoilage. These pouches can prevent the freshness of any product to deliver it with the same taste and flavour. When it comes to the packaging of non-food products, vacuum bags can avoid any oxidation and can be useful for chemical, metallic products, and medical devices as well.

Features and benefits of the Vacuum Pouches and Bags

• They are very useful in providing an extended shelf life to the product with the help of the vacuum bag
• It offers superlative machine handling so that the pouches do not curl
• They offer a high moisture and gas barrier property to keep the product intact
• The inherent protective gas in it keeps the product fresh without the use of any preservatives
• This solution has a wide range of oxygen transmission rates along with a custom design for increasing the shelf life for specific applications.
• It gives a good resistance to puncture and tearing while possessing the quality to retain the aroma. Also, it has a very good tack, seal property, and transparency.
• The careful and superior extra packing ensures its hygiene during transport and presenting it on shelves.

Different Types of Vacuum Pouches

They are available in different sizes and shapes and strengths. The sizes are available in various thicknesses. A few types that are most demanded in the market are-

3 Mil Vacuum Pouches

The 3 Mil Vacuum Pouches are characterized by exceptional optical qualities like clarity, high gloss, and a uniform gauge of thickness. They have a stronger and thicker seal and are more durable and superior. They provide optimum freshness and are the most reliable of seals. The puncture-resistant pouches shield food from freezer burn and dehydration. These can be frozen, refrigerated, microwaved, boiled, and cooked and the most adaptable being a BPA-free product.

Gas Flush Pouches

Gas flush pouches are the perfect way to increase the storage life without chemicals. It is a modified form of atmosphere packaging so that the item to be packed does not get altered and has a longer life. Consumable items as well non-consumable items can be preserved in gas flush pouches. These change the atmosphere around the packaged product by induction of inert gas and enhances its storage life as well as minimizes any wastage. Consumables that are produced with a minimal level of processing can be packed with this methodology to increase their quality content and life.

Barrier Multilayer Pouches

These pouches are multi-layered and made using innovative technologies and aimed to give better barrier properties, storage stability, and the strength to consumable items as well as hazardous materials. Food products require special packaging protection from pressure squeeze and damage or waste during processing and transportation. This performance packaging in the form of barrier multilayer pouches is a lightweight solution that facilitates the value chain by conserving the nutritional property of food products even during a store display.

Eco Pouch

It is a form of a completely recyclable and compostable custom-designed pouch that can make a remarkable difference to the environment as well as the business. These are quick to be noticed by the markets and the customers making it the most favourite option. The Eco pouch is known to reduce the transport weight significantly and the high barrier films are oxygen and water vapour resistant and can provide optimal product protection. At the end of the product lifecycle, the packaging can be broken down into non-toxic components.

Sterilization Pouches

They are known to provide outstanding resistance to microbial penetration helping to maintain the sterility of the content of the pouches till it is opened. It can resist punctures and can effectively sterilize precision equipment that needs to be kept free from contamination. The Sterilisation Pouches are widely used in the protection of medical devices and surgical instruments until their use. They are made out of high-density material that retains its colour flexibility and protective properties while providing total strength to the packaging process.

Cheese Pouches

This aseptic and special pouch packaging offers a wide range of nylon and EVOH based co-extruded layer films for preserving milk products. The cheese pouches prevent moisture loss, oxygen transmission, or any microorganism presence. This can preserve the quality and texture of the cheese at the time of storage and transportation. The inherent properties of cheese remain intact and can easily be packed attractively with the help of cheese pouches.

Vacuum Packaging is the most efficient and versatile way of packaging a variety of products. They come in various options sizes and thicknesses and choosing the right vacuum pouch helps a sleek and professional packaging while maintaining the quality of the product and increasing its shelf life.

Brampton Engineering Sells Water Quenched Blown Film Line to Indian Food Packager

Brampton Engineering, a Davis-Standard company based in Brampton, ON, has sold its AquaFrost water quenched blown film technology to Vishakha Polyfab of India.

Vishakha Polyfab provides packing solutions for liquids, solid, semi liquid, edible oil, dairy products to processed, frozen and hot food, dried food, agro products, aromatic products, spices, flour, non-food and other industrial products.

Watch Vishakha Polyfab video:

Brampton Engineering’s (BE) AquaFrost line, which uses water-quenching technology in the extrusion process, is a system used by manufacturers seeking advantages of cast and conventional blown film, with improved clarity and thermoformability, balance orientation, and increase flexibility with less resins, the company says.

Watch AquaFrost video:

BE and Vishakha Polyfab have been partners for almost 20 years with Vishakha purchasing India’s first BE 7 and 9-layer multi-layer barrier blown film line in recent years.

Importance of Vacuum Bags and Packaging Films in Food Industry

With growing demand of consumer goods due to rising figure of population, importance of vacuum bags and packaging films in food industry has seen great trends these days. The food and beverages companies opt for flexible packaging solution that help them keep the products or contents intact, fresh, and prevent from getting rotten.

It is important that food product is kept well using proper packaging until it reaches to the end customers and they open it. While there are many options available for packing edible items, most of the manufacturers opt for vacuum bags and packaging films.

Frequently used Materials in Food Industry

As stated above, the companies in food industry often think of multiple alternatives or material to pack their food or edible items, here are a few to name that are most popular among them –

• Barrier multilayer pouches
• Laminated films
• EVOH based barrier film
• Tray lidding film
• Gas flush pouches
• Vacuum bags
• Film sheets

Benefits of using Vacuum Bags and Packaging Films in Food

Film and vacuum bag packaging food have kept their popularity over the years as they are more adaptable and durable. Here are a few benefits listed that reveal why flexible packaging films and vacuum bagging are still on rage in the market 

• Vacuum or film packaging procedures help preserve both solid and liquid foodstuff
• They provide freshness for varying length of time in preserving the edible items
• Packaging keeps deterioration of food at bay as they prevent microorganism entering the packet. Especially vacuumed packed food doesn’t have oxygen or any air inside which is necessary for bad bacteria to grow
• Such packed food can be saved from damaging. The food packs when sent across the world are quite prone to get damaged in transportation by trucks, vessels, or even tempos.
• The importance of vacuum bags and packaging films in food industry is due to its protection to food from surrounding air or water which could be polluted
• Flexible films and vacuum packing can be of any size and shape. This helps in wrapping any type of liquid or solid foodstuff
• Such packing is extremely light weight and therefore, they are easy to carry and the net weight of food won’t be highly affected
• Manufacturers can customize or tailor the shape of the food packaging if they use special laminated films or flexible films
• Barrier multilayer pouches help in keeping food extra safe due to their multilayer protection
• Tray lidding films can help preserve the integrity of the food or beverage within
• The plastic used in the packaging is of special type which is easy to use and recycle; this way, they are environmental friendly

Apart from that, the latest technology used in vacuum bags and packaging films in food industry allow the manufacturers to brand their companies as they can print and put any custom design. In coming years, such packaging industry is likely to only grow. Internationally, transporting foodstuffs from one place to another is in demand due to globalization; therefore, the importance of vacuum bags and packaging films in food industry cannot be ignored.

Achieve Superior High Strength Packaging Using Lamination Films

Lamination adhesives are widely applied in the flexible packaging industry and are ideal for busy packaging environments. Their design, layers, chemical properties, film strength, type of adhesive and bonding methods play an imperative role in achieving unique packaging characteristics.

The performance of a laminated film adhesive depends on the mechanical properties, ability to prevent moisture and gas entry, ease of sealing, printability and cost. They may be rigid of flexible.

Production Techniques

To produce the suitable package, a thin layer of plastic materials is extruded and then bonded to another layer of dissimilar material. Different materials are selected so as to match various packaging properties. For example one layer may be selected to provide high mechanical strength while the other layer may provide great barrier and sealing properties. These materials are then bonded using an adhesive. The co-extrusion process may involve many layers being extruded and bonded together.  The main production techniques involve dry bonding, wet bonding, ultraviolet curing and thermal adhesion process.

Laminating Adhesives and Applications

The laminating adhesive plays an imperative role in bonding the laminates. In addition to its bonding ability, the adhesive must have other superior characteristics such as chemical (mixing ratio, shelf life and curing time), physical (density, molecular weight, viscosity drying speed and wetting behavior) and performance (bonding strength, resistance to environmental process, and resistance to corrosion, adaptability and laminating conditions).

Suitability for Different Packaging Materials

Laminated film is suitable for different packaging processes. By adding different coextruded layers, it is possible to alter the film properties such as decreased gas/ oxygen permeability, puncture resistant,  resistance to heat, water and solvent proofing, superior optical properties, electrical insulation or conductivity, anti fog properties and ability to resist oil as well as chemical attack.

3 Layer Co-Extruded Lamination Films

These are low strength films with have three layers of 2 or 3 dissimilar materials bonded using different configurations. For two materials the arrangement can be A\B\A or A\A\B depending on use. Lamination Films are cheaper and provide adequate packaging for food, shampoos, snacks, detergents and edible oils.

5 Layer Co-Extruded Lamination Films

These are medium strength laminates that use special adhesives to increase strength. They are applied in packaging chemicals, soap, industrial products, medical and pharmaceutical products and hot filling juices. They comprise of five different layers of brown extrusions that are joined using adhesives. They can be EVOH based 5 layer films. They are used to create barrier from water, gas, aroma and flavor. They are resistance to chemicals, cracks, UV and are easily printable. They are also used in packaging reactive materials such as fruits and meat this can discolor the package.  Since some film prevent aroma loss, the film can be used to pack spices, juice, toothpaste and juice. Special films also allow packaging of pesticide and fungicides.

7 And 9 Layer Co-Extruded Lamination Films

7 and 9 layers films offer extensive advantages and replace aluminum packaging which is expensive. The different layers provide great sealing and properties such as oxygen, gas and carbon dioxide barrier; transparency, odors, high strength; easy printability, water proofing among others. They are used for packaging refrigerated products such as meat, poultry, cheese and unrefrigerated products such as powder milk, nuts, pet food and wine.