PFFC - December 2007 - (Page 32)

MATERIALS TESTING Barrier Additives Protecting against the invasion of spectral light into products in non-opaque packages can be undertaken by incorporating a number of different UV-absorbing additives into the polymeric packaging materials. It is important to note, however, that simple inclusion of these materials into a thin film within a package usually is not sufficient to provide the appropriate energy barrier. Some thickness of absorbing medium is usually required, as stipulated in the Beer-Lambert Law, and a sufficient concentration of the UV absorber/inhibitor as well. In addition, although blocking the UV wavelengths will reduce the majority of product degradation, visible light is involved in many of the color and flavor changes that occur in foods and other products. Permitting the Visible light is involved in many of the color & flavor changes that occur in foods and other products. transmission of visible light is the compromise necessary to provide product visibility. Many of the traditional UV absorbers will not pass FDA scrutiny for food applications. There are a few, such as some of the triazines, that will pass FDA scrutiny currently. Consequently, there is significant research underway to find materials more readily acceptable in food packaging. Work with zinc oxides, nanoparticles, and other non-toxic chemistries is being carried out by such organizations as Virginia Technical Univ., Ciba Corp., and Advanced Nanotechnologies of Australia. In conclusion, exposure of packaged products to various forms of light is becoming more and more prevalent and an important variable to be considered when designing new packaging. Protection of packaged product from light is assuming a place alongside moisture and gas barrier as a requirement of many converted materials. David P. Dumbleton is a senior consultant with Atlas Material Testing Technology, Chicago, IL. He has more than 30 years of experience in the converting, packaging, and raw materials industries. Contact him at ddumbleton@atlas-mts.com. Oscar Cordo is manager, technical standards, with Atlas Material Testing Technology. He is an active participating member of ASTM, SAE, AATCC, and other committees related to weathering and durability. Contact him at ocordo@atlas-mts.com. uSupplier Infot uAtlas Material Testing Technology | www.atlas-mts.com PFFC-ASAP 301 � � � �� PFFC-ASAP 119 32 | DECEMBER 2007 WWW.PFFC-ONLINE.COM http://www.atlas-mts.com http://www.erhardt-leimer-us.com http://WWW.PFFC-ONLINE.COM

Table of Contents Feed for the Digital Edition of PFFC - December 2007

PFFC - December 2007 Table of Contents First Glance From the Editor Web Lines Process Management News Clips Narrow Web & Label Reporter Narrow Web & Label What’s New Products Carton & Box Reporter 2008 Calendar of Events Materials Testing Pilot/Lab/Technical Facilities What’s New Products Services Directory Classified Marketplace Advertisers Index Experience Speaks

PFFC - December 2007

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