Validity of traditional barrier-testing methods to predict the achievable benefits of the new generation water based barrier coatings for packaging materials

In the study, Next Gen WBBC materials were evaluated both in laboratory and pilot scale. Analyses were done f or KIT, oxygen, water vapour, grease and oil barrier. The applicability of the testing methods was tested and compared to PE-coated ice cream boxes and fluorocarbon coated quick food packages, which both have different barrier demands.

As a result, some of the test methods did not characterize well enough the barrier properties of WBBC materials. The Next Gen W BBC solutions had excellent grease and water vapour resistance even with low KIT values. For example the behaviour of WBBC materials in the oil resistance test was different
compared to fluorocarbon coated packages, which also creates a need to further develop the test method and target setting.

The Next Gen WBBC materials can be used to replace PE-coatings, waxes and fluorocarbons in some of the common packaging applications. The future challenge is to commonly agree on and develop the accepted test methods for novelty WBBC products to evidence their performance and achievable benefits in barrier application areas.