Improved Barrier Layer

Polyethylene carbonate (PEC) exhibits oxygen barrier properties that are over 100 times greater than traditional petroleum-based plastics. Since the presence of oxygen typically accelerates food spoilage, barrier layers are integrated into traditional packaging plastics. This allows food containers to have suitable structural properties to function as a container and provide a usable shelf life for the food being stored. These films are constructed by laminating three to seven layers of film, each with a unique performance attribute.

Currently ethylene vinyl alcohol (EVOH) and polyvinylidene chloride (PVDC) are used as the barrier layer in most flexible and rigid packaging applications. These petroleum based plastics require significant amounts of energy to manufacture and release large amounts of greenhouse gases in the process. PEC not only offers similar performance but sequesters carbon dioxide from the environment.