What Is a Barrier Film?
A barrier film is a thin layer of material designed to protect products like food and pharmaceuticals from external elements.
Constructed from either plastics or metals, these films are designed to block oxygen, water vapor, light, odors, and other contaminants, offering superior barrier characteristics, ease of processing, and scalability for various uses. The film’s structure includes a base substrate layer, a barrier layer with materials known for their protective properties—such as EVOH or nylon—and various additives to enhance performance. These components are blended and formed into thin layers.
Beyond food and pharmaceutical packaging, barrier films are also utilized in the electronics industry and more, where protection against environmental factors is crucial. Their production involves the combination of substrates and barrier materials, followed by film formation and any necessary surface treatments to meet specific application requirements.