Resin could extend shelf life and boost clarity

The polyethylene terephthalate (PET) monolayer barrier resin technology can be used for beer, juice, wine, carbonated beverages and other oxygen sensitive food and packaging applications, according to the manufacturer Invista.

"PolyShield resins are Invista’s contribution to address the shelf life requirements for oxygen-sensitive foods that historically could not be effectively packaged in PET,”​ said Chris Hamman, president of the company’s polymer and resin’s division.

The resin coating, featuring active oxygen scavenging and passive carbonation barrier improves the shelf life, including the taste, of beverages, continued Hamman.

Clarity​

He added that the resin, combined with MXD6, provides outstanding clarity for tinted bottles.

PolyShield resin MXDG blends can be processed on standard PET perform and bottle manufacturing equipment with only minor changes, according to the company.

Insulation​

In addition, the insulating properties of PET are said to keep cold beverages packaged in PolyShield resin colder for longer than drinks packed in equivalent glass bottles.

The blends are cleared for certain food and beverage packaging applications under the Federal Food, Drug and Cosmetic Act.

According to recycling studies, the blends can be recycled at up to 50 per cent into fiberfill and strapping tape markets.

Recently launched resins​

Meanwhile, Borealis recently introduced a new polypropylene (PP) injection moulding grade of plastic resin which it claims enables food packagers to increase production, while cutting down on the material needed.

Borealis said its Bormod RJ900MO resin can be used to produce food containers for products such as dairy, confectionery and convenience food products.

The company said the grade was developed using its second generation (2G) technology, which enables the new resin to offer better clarity, improved stiffness, excellent processability at high speeds and shorter cycle times.

A spokesperson for Borealis said that up to 25 per cent cycle time reduction can be achieved with the Bormod RJ900MO:

“There are several aspects which lead to a shorter cycle time. One of them is less cooling time in the injection moulding unit, which increases production speed,”​ she claims.

Oxygen barrier​

And Multisorb Technologies also claims that its Active Oxygen Barrier Enhancement technology results in longer shelf-life for food and drinks and better quality retention.

The barrier technology focuses on an iron-based oxygen scavenging system that can be incorporated into packing polymers for moulded, sheeted, thermoformed or film applications.

Branded as FreshBlend, the resin-bonded oxygen scavenging system is highly reactive to permeating oxygen and is compatible with passive nano particle additives. The benefits are simpler and/or thinner packaging structures with better barrier properties, said the company. It added that thinner mono-layer packaging also cuts costs compared with multi-layer structures, is easier to recycle and carries a significantly lower carbon foot-print than conventional systems.

The FreshBlend system can be customized to the needs of individual products depending on packaging format and product preservation requirement.