Packaging plays a key role in protecting food products from external factors that can affect their quality, freshness and shelf life. The barrier properties of packaging materials help control the transmission of gases and water vapor between the packaged product and its surrounding environment.
Permeability testing for food packaging helps manufacturers and laboratories characterize packaging materials and evaluate their performance under defined test conditions.
ExtraSolution provides solutions for measuring oxygen transmission rate (OTR), water vapor transmission rate (WVTR) and carbon dioxide transmission rate (CO₂TR) in films and barrier materials used in packaging applications.
Why Measure Permeability in Food Packaging?
The transmission of oxygen, carbon dioxide and water vapor can influence the performance of food packaging, depending on the product, the packaging structure and the intended storage conditions.
Permeability testing helps manufacturers and laboratories:
- Characterize the barrier properties of packaging materials.
- Compare different films, laminates and multilayer structures.
- Support the selection of materials for specific packaging requirements.
- Evaluate material performance during research and development.
- Support material qualification and quality control.
- Obtain measurement data for packaging development and optimization.
Selecting suitable packaging materials requires consideration of the product’s characteristics, the intended storage conditions and the barrier performance required.
Which Permeability Parameters Are Important?
Different transmission parameters provide information about how a packaging material interacts with specific gases and moisture.
Oxygen Transmission Rate (OTR)
Oxygen transmission rate measures the amount of oxygen passing through a material under specified test conditions.
OTR is particularly relevant when evaluating packaging materials for products whose quality may be affected by oxygen exposure. Measuring OTR helps compare the oxygen barrier performance of different films and packaging structures.
Learn more about [Oxygen Permeability and OTR: Measurement and Analysis].
Water Vapor Transmission Rate (WVTR)
Water vapor transmission rate measures the amount of water vapor passing through a material under specified test conditions.
WVTR is important when moisture transfer may affect a product’s texture, stability or quality. Testing helps characterize the moisture barrier performance of films and multilayer packaging materials.
Learn more about [Water Vapor Permeability and WVTR: Measurement and Analysis].
Carbon Dioxide Transmission Rate (CO₂TR)
Carbon dioxide transmission rate measures the amount of carbon dioxide passing through a material under specified test conditions.
CO₂TR can be relevant for packaging applications in which carbon dioxide transmission is an important part of the packaging system’s performance, including selected beverage and food packaging applications.
Learn more about [CO₂ Permeability and CO₂TR: Measurement and Analysis].
Which Food Packaging Materials Can Be Tested?
Permeability testing can be applied to a range of materials used in food packaging, depending on the instrument configuration and the applicable test method.
Common examples include:
- Plastic films
- Flexible packaging materials
- Multilayer films and laminates
- Metallized films
- Co-extruded structures
- Other barrier materials used in packaging
Testing allows laboratories to compare materials and investigate how their structure and composition relate to gas and water vapor transmission.
Permeability Testing of Flexible and Multilayer Packaging
Food packaging often uses multilayer structures that combine different materials to achieve the required mechanical, sealing and barrier properties.
The performance of these structures depends on their composition, layer arrangement, manufacturing process and test conditions.
Measuring OTR, WVTR and, where relevant, CO₂TR helps characterize the barrier performance of a packaging structure. The results can support comparisons between material alternatives and contribute to packaging development and quality control.
For more information, explore Permeability Testing of Multilayer Films and Laminates and Permeability Testing of Flexible Packaging.
How Is Food Packaging Permeability Measured?
Permeability testing involves exposing a material to defined test conditions and measuring the transmission of a specific gas or water vapor through the sample.
The appropriate method depends on the parameter being measured, the material under investigation and the required test conditions.
Important factors include:
- Test gas or vapor: oxygen, carbon dioxide or water vapor, depending on the application.
- Temperature: test temperature can affect transmission behavior.
- Relative humidity: humidity conditions are particularly important for water vapor testing and may also be relevant to other measurements.
- Material structure: thickness, composition and multilayer construction can influence barrier performance.
- Test method and conditions: results should be interpreted in relation to the method and conditions used.
To compare materials meaningfully, measurements should be performed under defined and appropriately documented test conditions.
How to Choose a Permeability Tester for Food Packaging
The most suitable instrument depends on the material being tested and the information required by the laboratory.
When selecting a permeability tester, consider:
- Which transmission parameters need to be measured: OTR, WVTR, CO₂TR or a combination.
- The types of films and packaging materials to be tested.
- The required temperature and humidity conditions.
- Whether one or more samples need to be tested.
- The applicable test methods and measureme
For laboratories that need to evaluate several barrier properties, a multi-parameter system may help consolidate measurements within a single instrument.
ExtraSolution Instruments for Food Packaging Permeability Testing
ExtraSolution offers permeability testing solutions for characterizing packaging films and barrier materials. The most suitable instrument depends on the parameters required for the application.
MultiPerm O2-CO2
Designed for measuring oxygen transmission rate (OTR) and carbon dioxide transmission rate (CO₂TR).
Explore MultiPerm O2-CO2.
MultiPerm O2-H2O
Designed for measuring oxygen transmission rate (OTR) and water vapor transmission rate (WVTR).
Explore MultiPerm O2-H2O.
MultiPerm H2O-CO2
Designed for measuring water vapor transmission rate (WVTR) and carbon dioxide transmission rate (CO₂TR).
Explore MultiPerm H2O-CO2.
TotalPerm
Combines measurements of OTR, CO₂TR and WVTR in one integrated system for a broader characterization of material barrier properties.
Explore TotalPerm.
PermeH2O
A dedicated solution for measuring water vapor transmission rate (WVTR) through films and barrier materials.
Explore PermeH2O.
Evaluate Food Packaging Barrier Properties with ExtraSolution
Reliable permeability measurements help laboratories characterize packaging materials, compare alternative structures and support material qualification and quality control.
ExtraSolution provides solutions for measuring oxygen, carbon dioxide and water vapor transmission in packaging films and barrier materials.
Contact ExtraSolution to discuss your food packaging application and identify the most suitable permeability testing solution for your materials.