Packaging Materials

Course : EPBM&FQ
Course Incharge : V Sai Krishna
 Cellophane
• Pure cellulose fibre derived from wood is dissolved and then
regenerated by extrusion through a slot, casting onto a drum
and following acid treatment, is wound up as film. It is
commonly known as Cellophane (Regenerated cellulose)

• To make it flexible, it is plasticised with humectants (glycol

type). The degree of flexibility can be adjusted to suit the
application. The degree of flexibility can range from a fairly
rigid level to the most flexible, which is known as twist-wrap
used to wrap individual units of sugar confectionery.
 Polyethylene
• PE is structurally the simplest plastic and is
made by addition polymerization of ethylene
gas in a high temperature and pressure reactor.
• Polyethylenes are readily heat sealable. They
can be made into strong, tough films, with a
good barrier to moisture and water vapour.
They are not a particularly high barrier to oils
and fats or gases such as carbon dioxide and
oxygen compared with other plastics, although
barrier properties increase with density.
 Polyvinyl chloride (PVC)
• If one of the hydrogen atoms in ethylene is
replaced with a chlorine atom, the resultant
molecule is called vinyl chloride monomer
(VCM). Addition polymerisation of vinyl
chloride produces PVC.
• Most PVC films are produced by extrusion,
using the bubble process. It can be oriented to
produce film with a high degree of
shrinkability.
• PVC has excellent resistance to fat and oil. It is
used in the form of blow moulded bottles for
 Polystyrene (PS)
• PS is an addition polymer of styrene, a vinyl
compound where a hydrogen atom is replaced
with a benzene ring.
• It has high transparency (clarity). It is stiff,
with a characteristic crinkle, suggesting
freshness, and has a dead fold property.
• The film is printable. It has a low barrier to
moisture vapour and common gases, making it
suitable for packaging products, such as fresh
produce, which need to breathe.
 Ethylene vinyl alcohol (EVOH)
• EVOH is a copolymer of ethylene and vinyl
alcohol. It is related to polyvinyl alcohol
(PVOH), which is a water-soluble synthetic
polymer with excellent film-forming,
emulsifying and adhesive properties.
• It is a high-barrier material with respect to oil,
grease, organic solvents and oxygen. It is
moisture sensitive and, in film form, is water
soluble.
 Packaging of Mango
• Baskets made of bamboo with paddy as cushioning materials
are used as packaging for mangoes in India, yet it results in
very high spoilages.
• Now-a-days, corrugated fibre boxes are used for packaging
mango.
• Cushioning materials like paddy straw, wood wool, polyfilm
wrappers, paper cuttings, newsprint, tissue paper and
polyethylene films etc. are used.
Special Care during Mango Packaging
• Mangoes should be packaged in a single layer in fruit
crates and cartons
• Due to their great sensitivity to pressure, the fruit
should be wrapped in paper or padded with wood
• Recommended ventilation conditions: circulating air,
60 - 80 circulations/hour with continuous supply of
fresh air, to prevent excessive concentrations of CO2,
ethylene and other gases
Thank you…