Retort packaging is essential for preserving sterilized food products that must maintain safety, quality, and shelf life without refrigeration. These packages undergo thermal processing at high temperatures and pressures, typically in the form of steam sterilization, known as the retort process. To perform under these extreme conditions, packaging films must offer an ideal balance between mechanical strength, barrier properties, and thermal resistance.
UBE has developed a range of multilayer film structures and nylon grades tailored to meet the technical requirements of retort applications. These multilayer configurations use carefully engineered combinations of polyamide (PA), polypropylene (PP), EVOH, and tie layers to deliver optimal performance. The film types are categorized into four main structures: Asymmetrical Medium Barrier (AMB), Symmetrical Medium Barrier (SMB), Asymmetrical High Barrier (AHB) and Symmetrical High Barrier (SHB).
Each configuration is designed to meet specific performance needs based on the barrier level required by the food product. Comparative testing shows that high-barrier structures (AHB and SHB) provide superior retention of oxygen and moisture control after retort processing, along with excellent tensile strength, stiffness, and puncture resistance, all critical for food protection during sterilization and storage.
Complementing these structures, UBE supplies advanced nylon resins such as UBE NYLON 1030B, 5033B, and 5033FD8, offering excellent heat resistance, mechanical properties, and barrier performance. These materials preserve the organoleptic and nutritional qualities of the packaged food, even after aggressive thermal treatment.
With this complete portfolio, UBE enables the production of high-performance retort pouches and films that respond to the industry’s growing demand for food safety, extended shelf life, and sustainable packaging solutions.
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