Retortable plastics packages

Retortable plastic packages have not yet lived up to their potential for rapid sterilisation. Improved filling rates will depend on faster methods of achieving seals of guaranteed integrity. Reduction in the scalping of flavour by improved plastics, possibly with crystalline or other coatings will further widen horizons. 

American Can s Omni retortable plastic can marks a major development in food packaging. The five layer can, used by Hormel, Del Monte, and Campbell Soup Company, consists of polyolefin structural layers, adhesive layers incorporating desiccants, and ethylene vinyl alcohol (EVOH) polymer as the barrier layer. 

Schaper, E. Computer-Aided Barrier Design Yields Retortable Food Package. Proceedings, SPE International Coextrusion Conference 1989 also in Modern Plastics, pp. 94-99, Dec. 

Vijayalakshmi, N. S., Sathish, H. S., and Rangarao, G. C. P. Physico-chemical studies on indigenous aluminum foil based retort pouches vis-a -vis their suitability for thermal processing. Popular plastics Packaging, 48, 71-74 (2003). 

Major innovations in the packaging field are retortable plastics as a replacement for the can, hot-fillable rivals to glass, high-barrier-coated or laminated bottles for carbonated drinks, controlled or modified atmosphere packagings and biodegradable or ecofriendly packaging. These developments are highlighted below. 

Plastic film photography supports, 19 197 Plastic films, properties of, 17 835t Plastic flow, 8 727 Plastic food packaging, 18 40-51 retortable, 18 49... 

Family of plastics that can be used in hot fill and retort packaging applications that provide clarity and heat resistance. 

The growing importance of medical plastics has allowed POs to step outside their traditional low-cost roles and serve in life-and-death situations. However, their use in medical components is complicated by the degree to which they can resist various sterilization methods, including those that use damaging radiation. At the same time, more heat-sterilizable food packaging also requires POs that resist hot retort treatments. 

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