What Is EVOH/PP High-Barrier Film?
EVOH/PP high-barrier film, also known as PP-based EVOH lidding film, high-barrier PP tray film or MAP lidding film, is a multilayer packaging film developed for polypropylene trays that require reliable heat sealing and reduced oxygen transmission.
A typical PP-based high-barrier structure uses polypropylene as the principal polymer, with a thin EVOH oxygen-barrier layer positioned between PP and adhesive tie layers.
Common structures include PP/Tie/EVOH/Tie/PP, BOPP/PP-EVOH-PP and other PP-dominant coextruded or laminated films with a PP-compatible food-contact sealing surface.
EVOH provides the principal oxygen, gas and aroma barrier. PP protects the EVOH layer from moisture, provides mechanical strength and creates a heat-sealable surface for compatible PP and PP/EVOH/PP trays.
Products intended for direct sealing to plain PP trays must use a PP-compatible food-contact sealant. A film containing a PE sealing layer should not automatically be described as an EVOH/PP film or assumed to seal every PP tray.
How Is PP/EVOH/PP Film Structured?
| Film Layer | Main Function | Purchasing Consideration |
| BOPP or PP Outer Layer | Provides clarity, stiffness, strength, dimensional stability and printability | Confirm thickness, haze, gloss, surface treatment and heat resistance |
| Printing Layer | Carries logos, product information, barcodes, QR codes and registration marks | Confirm printing side, color count, print repeat, eye mark and ink system |
| PP Structural Layer | Provides mechanical strength, moisture resistance and PP-dominant material content | Confirm PP percentage, stiffness, puncture strength and thermal requirements |
| Tie Layer | Bonds EVOH to the surrounding PP layers | Confirm layer adhesion, flex-crack resistance and food-contact suitability |
| EVOH Barrier Layer | Reduces oxygen, gas and aroma transmission | Specify EVOH grade, thickness, target OTR, temperature and relative humidity |
| PP Sealant Layer | Provides easy-peel, controlled-peel or lock-seal performance on a PP flange | Match the sealant to the tray resin, sealing window and required opening behavior |
| Optional Anti-Fog Treatment | Reduces visible condensation droplets on the food-facing surface | Confirm cold-fog or hot-fog conditions, filling temperature and storage duration |
How Does EVOH Improve Barrier Performance?
EVOH is a high-performance barrier copolymer used to reduce oxygen and gas transmission through plastic packaging.
Reducing oxygen ingress can help control oxidation, discoloration, aroma loss, flavor deterioration and rancidity in suitable packaged foods.
EVOH does not provide the primary water-vapor barrier in an EVOH/PP structure. The surrounding PP layers provide most of the moisture protection and protect the EVOH layer from direct humidity exposure.
The barrier performance of EVOH depends on:
EVOH ethylene content and resin grade
EVOH layer thickness
Total film structure
Temperature
Relative humidity
Film flexing and mechanical damage
Thermal processing history
Tray, seal and complete package construction
EVOH/PP High-Barrier Film Specifications
The following table provides the current HSQY reference range. Final specifications must be confirmed for the exact PP-compatible high-barrier structure.
| Product Type | PP-Based EVOH High-Barrier Tray Lidding Film |
| Recommended Structures | PP/Tie/EVOH/Tie/PP, BOPP/PP-EVOH-PP or another PP-dominant multilayer structure |
| Food-Contact Sealant | PP-compatible easy-peel or lock-seal layer |
| Reference Thickness | Approximately 50–90 μm for selected current structures |
| Roll Width Range | Approximately 150–900 mm |
| Selected Widths | 180 mm, 320 mm, 400 mm, 640 mm and custom widths |
| Reference Roll Length | Approximately 500 m, subject to film thickness and roll-weight limits |
| Core Diameter | Customized according to the tray sealing machine |
| Appearance | Clear, high-gloss, matte, white or custom printed |
| Seal Options | Easy peel, controlled peel, hard peel, lock seal or weld seal |
| Barrier Level | Customized according to the required OTR, WVTR, food and storage conditions |
| Anti-Fog | Optional and application-specific |
| Printing | Flexographic or gravure printing available by project |
| Primary Tray Application | PP, PP/EVOH/PP and other trays with a compatible PP sealing surface |
| Packaging Process | Atmospheric sealing, gas-flush MAP and vacuum-and-gas MAP after validation |
| Microwave, Freezer or Retort Use | Requires a separately developed and validated thermal grade |
| Reference MOQ | Approximately 1,000 kg per structure or specification |
| Reference Lead Time | Approximately 10–15 working days after structure and order confirmation |
| Sample Support | Samples or trial rolls can be discussed according to material availability |
The structure, PP percentage, EVOH content, thickness, OTR, WVTR, seal type and recyclability status must be confirmed in the final technical specification.
Easy-Peel EVOH/PP Lidding Film
Easy-peel EVOH/PP film combines high oxygen-barrier performance with controlled consumer opening.
A correctly designed easy-peel film should remain secure during filling, transportation and refrigerated storage while opening progressively from a peel tab.
Important easy-peel performance indicators include:
Peel-initiation force
Peel-propagation force
One-piece lid removal
Limited shredding, stringing or tearing
Limited sealant residue on the flange
Leak resistance during distribution
Consistent peel after chilled storage
Barrier retention after sealing
Lock-Seal EVOH/PP Lidding Film
Lock-seal or weld-seal EVOH/PP film creates a stronger, substantially non-peelable closure on a compatible PP tray.
It is selected when leakage resistance, tamper evidence, MAP gas retention and transport security are more important than manual opening convenience.
Lock-seal packages may require cutting, piercing or tearing before opening. A lock-seal grade should not be described as easy peel.
Review the related HSQY high-barrier lock-seal lidding-film product and confirm whether its food-contact sealant is PP-compatible or PE-based before ordering it for PP trays.
Easy Peel vs. Lock Seal
| Comparison | Easy Peel | Lock Seal |
| Opening Method | Controlled manual peeling | Cutting, piercing or tearing may be required |
| Consumer Convenience | Higher | Lower |
| Package Security | Balanced with opening convenience | Stronger resistance to accidental opening |
| MAP Gas Retention | Suitable when peel and seal integrity are correctly balanced | Prioritizes strong seal and gas retention |
| Typical Applications | Retail meat, cheese, ready meals and consumer portions | Liquid-rich foods, foodservice and transport-sensitive packages |
Understanding OTR and WVTR
OTR and WVTR measure different packaging properties and should not be used interchangeably.
| Metric | What It Measures | Required Test Information |
| OTR | Oxygen passing through a defined film area over a defined period | Test method, temperature, relative humidity, film thickness, units and pressure conditions |
| WVTR | Water vapor passing through a defined film area over time | Test method, temperature, humidity gradient, film thickness and units |
| Whole-Pack Oxygen Ingress | Oxygen entering through the lid, tray, seal, corners, pinholes and leaks | Tray dimensions, seal width, storage time, leak method and residual-oxygen target |
A film-only OTR result does not represent the oxygen ingress of the complete sealed package.
Compatible Tray Materials
| Tray Material | Compatibility Guidance |
| PP Tray | Primary application when the film uses a compatible PP sealing layer |
| PP/EVOH/PP Tray | Suitable for a complete high-barrier PP MAP system when the sealing surface is PP |
| PP/EVOH/PE Tray | Compatibility depends on whether the tray flange presents PP, PE or a modified sealant layer |
| PE or PE-Coated Tray | Requires a PE-compatible sealant rather than a standard PP sealant |
| APET, rPET or PET/PE Tray | Requires a PET- or PE-compatible film selected according to the actual flange surface |
| CPET Tray | Requires a CPET-compatible film, especially for microwave or oven applications |
| PS, PVC or Aluminum Tray | Requires substrate-specific heat-seal chemistry |
Physical tray samples or a complete tray-layer specification should be provided before a bulk film order is confirmed.
For standard, non-EVOH PP tray films, review HSQY's BOPET/CPP sealing-film range .
MAP Packaging with EVOH/PP Film
Modified atmosphere packaging replaces most of the normal air in a package with a selected food-grade gas mixture before sealing.
A complete high-barrier MAP package requires:
A lidding film with suitable OTR and seal performance
A compatible high-barrier PP tray
A continuous and leak-free seal
An appropriate gas mixture
Controlled residual oxygen
Adequate headspace
Clean tray flanges
Validated food hygiene and microbiology
A stable refrigerated cold chain
The lidding film alone cannot guarantee shelf life. Commercial shelf life must be established using the actual food, tray, film, gas mixture, equipment and storage process.
Applications of EVOH/PP High-Barrier Film
Fresh Meat and Processed Meat
EVOH/PP lidding film can be evaluated for beef, pork, lamb, minced meat, sausages and processed meat packed under modified atmosphere.
Poultry
Applications include chicken, turkey, marinated poultry and prepared poultry products requiring oxygen protection and secure seals.
Fish and Seafood
Fish fillets, shrimp, shellfish and prepared seafood may require high oxygen barrier, anti-fog clarity, puncture resistance and strong chilled-package integrity.
Cheese and Dairy Products
Cheese portions, sliced cheese and selected dairy foods can benefit from reduced oxygen exposure and aroma transmission.
Chilled Ready Meals
High-barrier PP lidding film can be used for chilled meat dishes, pasta, rice, vegetables, sauces and prepared meals packed in compatible PP trays.
Sauces, Dips and Deli Foods
Lock-seal structures can be evaluated for liquid-rich products requiring leakage resistance and controlled aroma transmission.
Fresh Produce
High-barrier film is not suitable for every fruit or vegetable. Respiring produce may require controlled permeability or microperforation to prevent an unsuitable package atmosphere.
Anti-Fog EVOH/PP Film
Anti-fog treatment and oxygen barrier are separate functions.
EVOH controls oxygen and gas transmission, while anti-fog treatment changes the way condensed moisture spreads across the food-facing film surface.
Anti-fog performance depends on food temperature, product moisture, cooling speed, refrigerated storage temperature, temperature fluctuations, film orientation and storage duration.
Anti-fog film reduces visible droplets but does not eliminate moisture or condensation inside the package.
Microwave, Freezer and Retort Performance
Can EVOH/PP Film Be Microwaved?
A PP-based structure may be developed for microwave applications, but microwave suitability is not automatic.
The complete tray, film, sealant, food, microwave power, heating time and steam-release instructions must be validated.
Can EVOH/PP Film Be Used for Frozen Food?
A freezer-grade structure can be developed, but low-temperature flexibility, impact strength, seal retention, delamination and puncture resistance must be tested.
Can EVOH/PP Film Be Retorted?
Retort packaging requires a dedicated retort-grade PP and EVOH structure.
Standard chilled-food film should not be used for retort processing without validation at the intended temperature, pressure, duration and food conditions.
Tray-Sealing Machine Compatibility
EVOH/PP lidding film can be converted for manual, semi-automatic and fully automatic tray sealing equipment.
Buyers should provide:
Tray-sealer manufacturer and model
Tray mold and cavity layout
Atmospheric, gas-flush or vacuum-and-gas process
Required film width
Core inside diameter
Maximum roll outside diameter
Maximum roll weight
Sealing side wound inside or outside
Film unwind direction
Sealing temperature
Sealing pressure
Dwell time
Production speed
Film-cutting method
Print-registration sensor
HSQY also supplies food tray sealing machines for standard tray sealing and selected MAP applications.
How to Establish the Correct Sealing Window
The sealing window is the range of temperature, pressure and dwell time that creates a continuous seal without damaging the film or tray.
Production trials should evaluate:
Seal-initiation temperature
Maximum temperature before film or tray distortion
Required sealing pressure
Minimum effective dwell time
Hot-tack strength
Seal strength after cooling
Peel-initiation and propagation force
Seal-through-contamination performance
Wrinkles and channel leaks
Tray-flange deformation
Film tracking and cutting
Package leak and burst resistance
Residual oxygen and MAP gas retention
Common EVOH/PP Packaging Problems
| Problem | Possible Causes | Items to Check |
| Film Does Not Seal | PE sealant supplied for a PP tray, reversed film or insufficient sealing energy | Exact sealant layer, tray flange, temperature, pressure and dwell time |
| Package Loses MAP Gas | Low tray barrier, incomplete seal, pinhole, puncture or insufficient film barrier | Film OTR, tray OTR, seal continuity, leak rate and package damage |
| Barrier Is Lower Than Expected | High humidity, insufficient EVOH thickness, flex cracking or unsuitable test comparison | Test temperature, relative humidity, film thickness and complete structure |
| Residual Oxygen Is Too High | Inadequate gas flush, insufficient vacuum, leakage or excessive initial air | Gas flow, vacuum cycle, headspace, tooling and seal integrity |
| Film Delaminates | Weak tie layers, insufficient adhesive cure, excessive heat or chemical exposure | Layer structure, bond strength, curing conditions and food composition |
| Package Leaks | Food contamination, wrinkles, punctures, damaged trays or incomplete seals | Flange cleanliness, film integrity, tray condition and full seal continuity |
Food-Contact Compliance
Food-contact suitability depends on the exact PP resin, EVOH grade, tie layers, adhesive, sealant, anti-fog treatment, printing ink, food type and use conditions.
Buyers should request available documentation for the exact approved commercial film, including:
Technical data sheet
Certificate of analysis
Food-contact declaration
Migration or compliance reports
OTR and WVTR test reports
Seal-strength test method
Restricted-substance statements
Batch traceability records
Medical and pharmaceutical packaging should not be promoted under a standard food-lidding specification without separate cleanliness, sterilization, validation and regulatory documentation.
Is EVOH/PP High-Barrier Film Recyclable?
PP-based EVOH film can be designed as a recycling-compatible structure when polypropylene remains the dominant polymer and the EVOH, tie layers, inks and coatings remain within accepted limits.
However, not every film containing PP and EVOH is automatically recyclable.
Recyclability depends on:
Total PP percentage
EVOH percentage
Tie-layer and adhesive content
Presence of PE, PET, PA or other polymers
Printing inks, coatings and anti-fog agents
Tray material
Ability to separate the lid from the tray
Food contamination
Local collection and sorting infrastructure
Destination-market design-for-recycling guidelines
A BOPP/EVOH/PE structure contains both PP and PE and should not be described as a mono-PP film unless a recognized assessment supports the claim.
Customization Options
Custom total film thickness
Custom PP and EVOH layer ratios
Easy-peel or lock-seal formulation
Customized peel or weld strength
Custom OTR and WVTR targets
Anti-fog treatment
Seal-through-contamination performance
Puncture-resistant structure
Application-specific microwave grade
Application-specific freezer grade
Application-specific retort grade
Custom printing and registration marks
Custom film width and roll length
Custom core and maximum roll diameter
Custom winding direction
PP-dominant recycling-oriented structures
Custom cartons, labels and export pallets
Quality-Control Requirements
PP, EVOH and tie-layer material verification
Total film thickness and layer distribution
Roll width and length
Core size and outside roll diameter
Winding tension and roll alignment
Transparency, haze and gloss
Interlayer bond strength
Coefficient of friction
Seal-initiation temperature
Hot-tack strength
Peel or lock-seal strength
Puncture and flex-crack resistance
OTR and WVTR under specified conditions
Anti-fog testing when required
Print color and registration accuracy
Food-contact documentation review
Packaging and pallet protection
Information Required for a Quotation
Tray material and complete layer structure
Material on the tray sealing flange
Physical tray samples
Tray dimensions and flange width
Food or packaged product
Filling temperature
Required shelf life and storage temperature
MAP gas mixture and residual-oxygen target
Required OTR and WVTR with test conditions
Easy-peel or lock-seal requirement
Target peel or seal strength
Anti-fog requirement
Microwave, freezer or retort requirement
Film thickness, width and roll length
Core diameter and maximum roll diameter
Sealing-side winding direction
Tray-sealing machine manufacturer and model
Sealing temperature, pressure and dwell time
Production speed
Printing artwork and repeat length
Required food-contact and barrier documents
Order quantity and annual consumption
Destination country, port or delivery address
Frequently Asked Questions About EVOH/PP Film
What is EVOH/PP high-barrier film?
It is a PP-based multilayer film containing a thin EVOH layer that reduces oxygen and gas transmission.
What is the recommended structure for PP trays?
Common structures include PP/Tie/EVOH/Tie/PP and BOPP/PP-EVOH-PP with a PP-compatible food-contact sealant.
Is BOPP/EVOH/PE the same as EVOH/PP film?
No. BOPP/EVOH/PE contains a PE sealing layer, while a true PP-based film intended for plain PP trays should use a PP-compatible sealing layer.
What does EVOH do in the film?
EVOH provides the principal oxygen, gas and aroma barrier.
Does EVOH provide the moisture barrier?
Not primarily. PP provides most of the moisture resistance and protects the humidity-sensitive EVOH layer.
Why must OTR include humidity conditions?
EVOH oxygen-barrier performance changes with humidity, temperature, grade and thickness. An OTR value without test conditions is incomplete.
Can EVOH/PP film seal plain PP trays?
Yes, when the film uses a compatible PP sealing layer and passes sealing tests with the actual tray.
Can it seal PP/EVOH/PP trays?
Yes, when the tray flange presents a compatible PP surface and the complete package barrier is validated.
Can it seal PET or PET/PE trays?
Standard PP sealant should not be assumed to seal PET or PE surfaces. A substrate-specific film is required.
Is easy-peel EVOH/PP film available?
Easy-peel performance can be developed using a PP-compatible peelable sealant formulation.
What is lock-seal EVOH/PP film?
It creates a strong or substantially non-peelable seal for package security, leakage resistance and MAP gas retention.
Can the film be used for MAP packaging?
Yes, when it is combined with a compatible high-barrier tray, reliable seal, suitable gas mixture and validated cold chain.
Can the film guarantee a specific shelf life?
No. Shelf life also depends on food safety, hygiene, tray barrier, gas mixture, residual oxygen, seal integrity and storage temperature.
Is anti-fog available?
Yes. Anti-fog treatment can be customized for chilled meat, seafood, dairy and ready-meal packaging.
Can EVOH/PP film be microwaved?
A microwave-grade structure can be developed, but the standard film should not automatically be described as microwaveable.
Can EVOH/PP film be used for frozen food?
A freezer-grade structure requires separate validation of impact strength, seal retention and layer adhesion.
Can EVOH/PP film be retorted?
Only a dedicated retort-grade PP/EVOH/PP structure should be used for retort processing.
What thicknesses are available?
The current HSQY reference range is approximately 50–90 μm, subject to the exact multilayer structure.
What roll widths are available?
The reference width range is approximately 150–900 mm, including selected widths of 180 mm, 320 mm, 400 mm and 640 mm.
Can EVOH/PP film be custom printed?
Yes. Logos, graphics, ingredients, barcodes, QR codes and registration marks can be printed.
Is EVOH/PP film recyclable?
A PP-dominant structure may be compatible with PP recycling systems when EVOH and other components remain within accepted limits. A market-specific assessment is still required.
What is the minimum order quantity?
The current reference MOQ is approximately 1,000 kg per structure or specification.
What is the production lead time?
The reference production lead time is approximately 10–15 working days after the structure and commercial details are confirmed.
Can I request a sample or trial roll?
Samples or trial rolls can be discussed for tray compatibility, seal strength, OTR, anti-fog and MAP-line testing.
Request an EVOH/PP High-Barrier Film Quote
Looking for a PP-based EVOH high-barrier lidding-film manufacturer, easy-peel MAP film, lock-seal film or recyclable PP-dominant tray-lidding solution?
Contact HSQY with your tray structure, food application, OTR target, seal type, machine model and annual consumption to request technical recommendations, samples and factory pricing.
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