The performance of a food packaging film depends on more than a single material. Mechanical behaviour, barrier properties, thermoformability, and processing characteristics must work together to meet the requirements of each application. Selecting the right polymer combination is essential for meeting those requirements.
Polyethylene (PE), polyamide (PA6/6.6), and ethylene vinyl alcohol (EVOH) each contribute distinct functional advantages to multilayer food packaging. PE stands out for its processability, softness, and water vapour barrier. EVOH delivers excellent oxygen barrier performance. Each polymer brings specific strengths to multilayer film structures.
PA6/6.6 provides an effective balance between mechanical resistance, puncture performance, thermoformability, and oxygen barrier properties. Compared with PE, it offers higher tensile strength, puncture resistance, and deeper thermoforming capability, making it well suited for demanding packaging applications. Polyamide combines structural integrity with excellent forming behaviour.
The different performance profiles of these materials support the design of packaging structures tailored to specific application requirements. Mechanical strength, stiffness, flexibility, puncture resistance, oxygen barrier, and moisture protection can all be balanced by selecting the appropriate combination of polymers within the packaging system.
Within multilayer constructions, these materials perform complementary functions. PE contributes moisture protection, EVOH limits oxygen transmission, and PA reinforces the structure and supports thermoforming performance. Combining different polymers allows packaging solutions to be tailored to specific functional requirements.
