If you’re looking to protect products against the harmful impact of moisture, special types of packaging are required. Moisture barrier packaging offers this essential level of protection, preventing moisture from the surrounding environment from contaminating package-sealed products. This type of packaging is particularly useful when it comes to storing delicate contents, such as food items or pharmaceuticals.
To prevent moisture damage and maintain the quality of stored items, moisture barrier packaging materials need to fulfill some key criteria. First, the water vapor transmission rate (WVTR) should be considered. This is essentially the rate at which water vapor penetrates through a particular material. The lower the WVTR, the more effective the moisture barrier of a material is.
Another key property of moisture barrier packaging material is flexibility. Ideally, the material should be able to conform freely, without any impact on moisture barrier performance. There are numerous advantages of material with a high degree of flexibility, including easier handling, reduced risk of damage, and better performance in extreme environments.
Another hallmark of moisture barrier materials is mechanical strength. A high mechanical strength ensures the integrity of the packaging is maintained during handling, storage, and transit. Mechanical strength is an umbrella term that includes everything from tensile strength to tear resistance.
Chemical resistance is yet another staple of moisture barrier materials. This prevents materials from degrading when exposed to aggressive substances and chemicals commonly found in packaging environments, such as solvents, alcohols, acids, and alkalis.
Moisture barrier material should also protect against gases and aromas, which can impact the freshness and quality of stored products. This is particularly crucial for food packaging applications and the pharmaceutical industry, with effective gas barrier performance essential for maintaining flavors and extending shelf life.
Another key property of moisture barrier material is compatibility with special coatings and additives. Commonly encountered coatings and additives include anti-fog coatings and antimicrobial agents, improving the packaging material’s moisture barrier performance.
Need some help selecting the right packaging materials for your requirements? Below are the key types of moisture barrier packaging materials you’re likely to encounter.
Plastic-based barriers like polypropylene (PP) and polyethylene (PE) are common moisture barrier packaging material choices. Suitable for use in rigid and flexible packaging alike, they offer reliable moisture barrier properties, are readily available, and are generally a cost-effective choice. What’s more, certain plastic-based solutions like polypropylene boast effective chemical resistance that broadens applications.
However, they’re not the most environmentally friendly of options. Both PP and PE are non-biodegradable, making them a poor choice for companies looking to make their operation more sustainable.
Metalized films and foils are another good choice for moisture barrier packaging. Materials like polyethylene terephthalate (PET) and aluminum foil offer excellent moisture protection, making them a go-to for food and pharmaceutical packaging. As well as protecting against moisture, they’re also effective at locking out oxygen and UV light, further enhancing their credentials. They’re also relatively light and durable, making them a versatile packaging solution.
However, they’re expensive when compared to other types of material such as plastic films. Additionally, materials like aluminum foil aren’t suitable for use with some packing and processing methods, such as microwave heating.
If you’re looking for sustainable moisture barrier material packaging, paper is a smart option. Specifically, we’re talking about papers that feature moisture-resistant coatings. As well as being highly resistant to moisture, coated papers are incredibly economical, making them a green alternative to plastic and metalized films.
While packaging choices like wax-coated paper are generally affordable, other varieties like silicone-coated paper can be more expensive. What’s more, this type of coated paper can be harder to recycle, limiting their eco-friendliness.
Moisture barrier packaging is used across many industries. However, it’s more widely utilized by certain sectors than others.
Moisture barrier packaging is essential for the food and beverage industries, with various types of material used. Metalized PET is an effective choice for maintaining crispness, while coated papers can be used to keep food fresh. All types of material can prevent spoilage and extend the shelf life of stored food contents.
The pharmaceutical industry is another key sector that makes use of moisture barrier packaging. It’s ideal for protecting sensitive medication from moisture ingress, while also ensuring potency is maintained. It can also help minimize the risk of contamination.
Still not sure where to start when selecting moisture barrier material for packaging? First, focus on material thickness. This is a contributing factor to the water vapor transmission rate of a material and determines how permeable it is. For best results, you want to target materials with a lower WVTR.
Next, you’ll need to consider the cost and weigh it against the level of protection offered by any given material. Coated papers are among the cheapest types of moisture barrier material on the market, however, they offer relatively poor protection against moisture.
Meanwhile, metalized films and foils are comparatively expensive, but offer reliable protection against moisture, as well as oxidation and UV light. Plastic films are a more affordable option and offer a decent amount of protection against moisture, making them something of a happy medium.
Finally, you’ll want to think about sustainability. Some moisture barrier packaging materials are more easily recycled than others. Wax-coated paper for example can be readily recycled and is biodegradable, whereas recycling silicone-coated paper is comparatively difficult. Metalized films and foils can also be recycled, making them an eco-friendly option. However, plastic films like polypropylene and polyethylene aren’t widely recycled and don’t degrade naturally, making them a poor choice if you’re looking to run an environmentally friendly operation.
To ensure moisture barrier packaging is performing as well as possible, make sure packaging is properly sealed to eliminate the chance of moisture contaminating contents. You’ll also need to ensure you’re using the right type of moisture barrier material for your needs.
You can enhance the moisture barrier properties of packaging further by using things like desiccant packs. These packs absorb excess moisture and are particularly useful when storing things like sensitive electronics. Humidity indicator cards (HICs) are also useful for measuring changes in humidity within packaging. Additional levels of moisture control may be required depending on where you’ll be storing packaged contents, so consider storage environments carefully.
At Codefine, we understand the need for reliable moisture barrier packaging. Whether you operate within the pharmaceutical sector and are looking for effective packaging for sensitive materials or need something that can accommodate delicate electronics, our industry-leading packaging solutions can help. Scoring top marks for durability and versatility, you can also count on effective moisture barrier performance as standard.
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