ALTERNATIVE HIGH BARRIER POLYMERS FOR FOOD-PACKAGING

PVdC and aluminium foil (or aluminium metallization) have traditionall y been used as flexible high barrier materials in the design of packag es for perishable foodstuffs. During recent years new polymers, treatm ents and coatings have been developed and are presently considered as alternative materials in the design of high barrier packages. These ma terials are reviewed, their water and oxygen permeability or permeance data are collated, and structures commercially available and their ma in applications are listed.