Use of EVOH for Food Packaging Applications

Abstract

Ethylene-vinyl alcohol copolymers (EVOH) are a family of thermoplastic polymers with application in many industrial sectors including packaging and, especially, food packaging. The main characteristic of EVOH copolymers for packaging applications is their outstanding barrier to gases (oxygen, carbon dioxide, …) and organic vapors (food aroma). EVOH is applied in multilayer structures for bags, trays, cups, bottles, squeezable tubes or jars to protect oxygen-sensitive products. However, the hydrophilic nature of EVOH must be taken in consideration in package design to minimize water uptake and polymer swelling during thermal treatment processes such as retorting. This article reviews EVOH applications in barrier packaging and in active packaging.