Raising the Bar: High-Barrier Polymers

The growing demand to limit the use of preservatives in food is catalyzing increased interest in high-barrier packaging. When food manufacturers use fewer preservatives, the food packaging needs to protect the food by reducing rates of oxidation and microbial growth. This often requires enhanced barriers to oxygen and water vapor to maintain or increase the shelf life of food products. Extending the shelf life of packaged foods enables high-volume production with reduced changeovers, less food w…