Seeking Cost Effective Transparent and Barrier Food Packaging Films Guaranteeing 9 months Shelf Life

A SpecialChem Client is interested in technologies and suppliers that would enable him to deliver the benefits of products packed in transparent film without compromising on moisture and oxygen barrier levels and cost. Ideally, the Client would not have to change how he formulates, manufactures and distributes its products. Therefore he wants to maintain current shelf-life (9 months at ambient temperature), distribution system (ambient), and high manufacturing speed.

A SpecialChem Client desires to package some of its products (cereal bars and salty snacks) in transparent packages that would enable the consumer to see the product they are purchasing.

A successful solution that would replace current opaque packages could lead to tens of millions of linear feet purchase.

Key must have Barrier characteristics of the transparent film the SpecialChem Client is seeking:

• Film transparent enough that the food contained in the package can be clearly seen by consumer
• Moisture and O₂ barrier performance equal to Client current film. To deliver 9 months shelf life the existing opaque solution presents a:
  • WVTR (Water Vapor Transmission Rate) specification of approximately 0.01 to 0.03 grams/100 square inches/24 hours
  • O₂TR (Oxygen Transmission Rate) maximum of 5 cc/100in²/24hours
• Product should have the same visual appearance over 9 months of shelf life
• Finished film stock must be food contact safe

Additional key characteristics (adjustable by playing with film structure and processing)

• Product graphics, information like nutrition info and ingredient declaration, and UPC can clearly and reliably be printed on the film (to the extent that the UPC can easily be scanned at the high line speeds quoted above)
• Heat seal (Salty Snacks and cereal bars) and cold seal (cereal bars) film
• Film that would prevent or minimize light-initiated or catalyzed changes that would be perceived negatively by consumer (off-flavor due to photo-oxidation, loss of micro nutrients like vitamins, product color change or fading). Specifically, we are most concerned about product exposure to light in the retail stores
• Film coefficient of friction (COF) similar to COF of our current film – Note that the CoF can be manipulated through the application of surface coatings, slip agents and antiblock agents independent of the technology that enables clear film with the required barrier properties
  • For salty snacks: out/out 0.2 – 0.45, in/in 0.3 – 0.75
  • For cereal bars: out/out 0.186 – 0.38
  • Method described by Client test protocol built from ASTM Method D 1894-01
• Film puncture resistance similar to puncture resistance of Client current film
• Cereal Bars: Must be able to apply adhesive cold seal film layer
• Film structure must be able to retain functionality under standard manufacturing conditions
  • Heat Seal: Maximum temperature of 350°F (50°C) for 1-2 seconds
  • Cold Seal: Maximum temperature of 125°F (175°C) for 1-2 seconds
• Film structure must be able to retain functionality at standard distribution temperatures of -20°F (-30°C) to 150°F (65°C) on a timescale of days, in both roll stock and finished pouch formats
• Film should be flexible and pliable enough to withstand the pouch forming process without functionality loss
• Film should be able to withstand the rigors of bulk shipping for the SpecialChem Client plant incoming materials, i.e., in roll stock form strapped down to a pallet, without functionality loss

1-5 years depending on the type of solution (finished film versus a layer within the multi-layer film versus a surface treatment on a film layer) and ease of implementation.

Solution provider must be able to demonstrate proof of concept and manufacturing feasibility. The SpecialChem Client will assume leadership of execution within their manufacturing network.

The SpecialChem Client is interested in exploring actionable cost effective transparent food packaging solutions with good barrier properties.