This presentation explains the most common type of plastic films used for food packaging.

1. Your Packaging Matters People!
Understanding Food Films

2. Not these kind of food films

3. We mean these kind of food films

4. Plastic film for food packaging offer
several advantages over their
rigid counterparts.
.
1. lightweight
2. easy to print on
3. good barrier properties
4. recyclable & or reusable

5. Deciding on the best type of food packaging film can
be confusing.
Low Density Polyethylene – LDPE
Linear Low Density Polyethylene – LLDPE
High Density Polyethylene – HDPE
Polypropylene-PP
Cast Polypropylene: CPP
Oriented Polypropylene: OPP
Biaxial Oriented Polypropylene: BOPP
Metallized Oriented Polypropylene: MET-OPP
Polyethylene Terephthalate: PET
Metallized Polyethylene Terephthalate: MET-PET
Nylon
Polyolefin

6. We can
We can
We create value by
helping our customers
select the best films for
their food packaging
needs.

7. Commonly Used Food Packaging Terms
Barrier Level: a films ability to prevent moisture from penetrating the film itself
Clarity: the measurement of a film’s transparency
Converting: process of cutting a plastic film it into lengths, bond the edges, resulting in plastic bags
Film Gauge: film thickness measured in mils
Laminated Films: Lamination (bonding together) of two or more films that improves the appearance, barrier
Properties
Metallized: applying a thin coating of metal to a nonmetallic surface by chemical deposition or by exposing
the surface to vaporized metal in a vacuum chamber
Packaging Films: are melted plastic resin which are extruded into sheets or rolls
Sealability: bonding process between two layers of film

8. LLDPE, LDPE Films
Linear Low Density Polyethylene – Low Density Polyethylene
Properties:
•these films are inexpensive and have good clarity
•they are often used used to package fresh, produce,
frozen foods & baked goods

9. HDPE Films
Properties:
•HDPE film is found in many of the same
applications as LDPE and LLDPE
•it’s stiffer than other PE which makes it an ideal
film that needs to hold its shape
•since it has good moisture barrier properties, it is
resistant to grease and oils
•HDPE is often used inside a box to preserve its
contents such as cereal bags or cake mixes
High Density Polyethylene

10. PP Films
Properties:
•PP is soft, & clear glossy film with good moisture
barriers & high oxygen transfer rates
•often used as plastic food bags in bakeries, and
food markets
•PP films are less flexible than LDPE
Polypropylene

11. CPP Films
Cast Polypropylene
Properties:
•CPP films are used to package baked goods,
confectionary items
•they’re also used to make flexible & stand up
pouches
•they are easily printable & run efficiently on
packaging equipment like baggers & VFFS

12. OPP / BOPP / MET BOPP Films
Properties:
•BOPP & OPP are the same types of film
•film is stretched in both the machine and transverse
directions after it’s extruded
•this increases the film’s stiffness, clarity & tensile strength
•because of the film’s stiffness its used as a wrap for hard
candies and chocolates
•resistant to heat and moisture
•has a shiny high gloss appearance
•when OPP/BOPP films are laminated with metal foil (MET)
it will increase the film’s oxygen & water barrier & block out
UV rays
Orientated Polypropylene… Bi-Orientated Polypropylene...Metallized Bi-Orientated Polypropylene

13. PET / MET PET Films
Polyethylene Terephthalate / Metallized PET
Properties:
•very good oxygen barrier
•heat resistant
•strong film with good durability
•when PET films are laminated with metal foil it
will increase the film’s oxygen- water barrier &
block out UV rays
•metallized films for flexible packaging are
essential when the product requires extra
protection to ensure a longer shelf life
•MET PET provides protective properties for food
items requiring restricted visibility.

14. Nylon Films
Properties:
•since Nylon films have a high melting point, they
are used for cooking applications such as boiling,
microwaves & baking
•very good clarity & moisture barriers
•considered a very strong film

15. Polyolefin Films
Properties:
•these films are also used for shrink wrapping
applications & allow products to stand out
when displayed

16. Need help selecting your food packaging films?

17. Call Pyramid Packaging at 800-547-5130
for a free assessment
on your food packaging needs.
2901 Shermer Road Northbrook, Il 60062
info@pyramidpackaging.com
www.pyramidpackaging.com