Polypropylene: A Versatile Material Option
As sustainability continues to be a primary consideration for food packaging applications, brands and converters are increasingly exploring alternative material options to help achieve their end goals. In plastic food packaging, these materials often include PET, HDPE, and Polypropylene due to their compatibility with curbside recycling programs.
Among these options, Polypropylene (PP) stands out for its versatility. It can withstand higher levels of heat and provide higher levels of protection from moisture transmission. It’s low material density offers yield advantages and light-weighting options for potential cost savings. Additionally, different PP resin types can be blended to further customize the material for your specific packaging needs.
Sometimes this versatility can lead to confusion when selecting the proper PP material. GOEX can help. Our CONTOUR® line of food-grade Polypropylene materials offers options. Each is geared to address particular product packaging demands.
CONTOUR® 58 – Homopolymer
Homopolymers are ideal for high-stiffness and high-rigidity applications, making them suitable for products that need to withstand temperatures from refrigeration to microwaving, while also being dishwasher-safe (e.g. takeout containers, food service plates/platters, etc). However, Homopolymers’ relatively lower impact strength means they may not be suitable for very low-temperature environments.
CONTOUR® 59 – Impact Copolymer
Impact Copolymers are specifically designed with a higher impact strength. These enhanced impact properties lend themselves to freezer/low temperature applications and are an important consideration in order to avoid cracking in frozen package drop test scenarios. Impact Copolymers also have lower stiffness properties than Homopolymers and the highest levels of haze, which must be considered during the design stage of your packaging.
CONTOUR® 62 – Random Copolymer
Although Polypropylenes do not generally provide the inherent clarity attributes of materials like PET, higher levels of package clarity are achievable through the use of Random Copolymers. These materials are engineered to enhance optical clarity and minimize haze. Random Copolymers offer the highest clarity among all Polypropylene options and can be further clarified through the addition of food-safe additives/modifiers.
Finding the proper balance between aesthetics, performance, sustainability and cost can be challenging. GOEX can help you understand the needs of your unique application and guide you toward a material solution best tailored to meet your specific packaging requirements.