Uses and Types of Plastic Films for Food Packaging | Cosmo Films

The food packaging industry is growing day by day. Plastic films are a popular choice for food packaging purposes. When people mention plastic films, they regard them as a single type of material. In reality plastic films consists of a wide range of materials that vary in complexity based on a product’s requirements.

Advantages of Choosing Plastic Films

Plastic Films score in terms of safety over conventional materials for food packaging. The material is very less susceptible to contamination as well as pilferage. The shelf life of food products becomes longer. The material gives the food items attractive looks and is leveraged for branding purposes.

Plastic film is lightweight. It is easy to print information on it. Additionally, the films have superior barrier properties and can be recycled as well as reused.

We take a look at the different types of plastic films and their uses when it comes to food packaging.

High Density Polyethylene

This material has superior resistance to majority of solvents. It is the most prevalent plastic film in use.

Uses

• Bottles for storing water, juice as well as milk
• Margarine tubs
• Cereal box liners
• Bags for retail, trash as well as grocery

Low Density Polyethylene

This is ideal for packaging applications involving heat sealing.

Uses

• Squeezable food bottles
• Bags for bread as well frozen food
• Flexible lids

Polypropylene

Possesses high level of optical clarity.

Uses

• Salad dressing bottles
• Margarine tubs
• Yoghurt containers

Polyethylene terephthalate (PET or PETE)

Prevents penetration of carbon dioxide, oxygen as well as water.

Uses

• Plastic bottles for storing carbonated drinks
• Bottles, jars as well as tubs
• Bags as well as snacks food wrappers

Polycarbonate

It is long lasting, robust, transparent as well as resistant to heat.

Uses

• Big refillable/returnable water bottles as well as sterilisable baby bottles

Polyethylene naphthalate

It is ideal for preventing transfer of odours as well as flavours.

Uses

• Bottles for beverages

Polystyrene

Offers potent barrier to moisture and has high stiffness

Uses

• Food trays
• Bottles
• Plates
• Cups
• Lids
• Egg cartons
• Containers
• Disposable plastic silverware

The plastic film can be transparent or coloured. Also, it comes in single as well as multi-layered versions. The technology exists for combining the film with different materials including aluminium and paper for enhancing the film’s properties as well as capabilities.