Have you ever experienced such a problem: the carefully selected vacuum bags, which you thought would perfectly preserve the freshness and flavor of the products, but due to the improper selection of materials, the shelf life was shortened, the packaging was damaged, and even the product quality was affected?
In the world of vacuum packaging, the selection of materials is the crucial first step that determines success or failure. It directly affects the barrier properties, mechanical strength, sealing effect, as well as cost and product image. Choosing the right vacuum bag material not only effectively extends the product's shelf life but also enhances the brand image and customer trust.
Although single materials are common, their performance is limited and often cannot meet complex requirements.For instance, a single polyethylene (PE) bag is flexible and has a low cost, but its performance in terms of oxygen and water vapor barrier is average. Our data shows that vacuum packaging of meat using a specific thickness of PE in refrigerated conditions may have a shelf life shorter by 30% - 50% compared to packaging with high barrier composite materials. This directly affects the product's shelf life and the ability to reduce losses.
Multi-layer composite materials are the mainstream solution for high-performance vacuum packaging.
By combining different types of films (such as nylon/PE, polyester/PE, etc.), the advantages of each can be integrated. For example:
Polyamide (PA): Offers excellent puncture resistance and toughness, making it suitable for packaging products with bones or sharp edges.
Polyester (PET) or biaxially oriented polyamide (BOPA): Provides bags with excellent stiffness, printing properties and high gas barrier performance.
Polyethylene (PE) or blown polypropylene (CPP): As the heat-sealing layer, it provides stable and reliable sealing and has good moisture-proof properties.
The market demands for packaging are increasing, leading to the emergence of special materials such as high oxygen barrier (EVOH co-extruded film), antibacterial coatings, and degradable biobased materials (such as PBAT/PLA composites).