multilayer films PET/PE and other barrier laminates

PET/PE Multilayer Films and High-Barrier Laminates

HSQY manufactures PET/PE multilayer films and customized barrier laminates for thermoforming, form-fill-seal packaging, tray production, meat packaging, fish packaging, cheese packaging and other food or industrial applications.

The standard PET/PE structure combines a clear PET-based forming layer with an approximately 50μm polyethylene sealing layer. The PET layer provides clarity, rigidity, mechanical strength and thermoforming performance, while the PE layer provides heat-sealing capability, flexibility and moisture resistance.

Standard PET/PE should not automatically be described as an ultra-high oxygen-barrier structure. Applications requiring extended shelf life, modified-atmosphere packaging or low oxygen-transmission performance may require PET/EVOH/PE, PET/PVDC/PE, PA/EVOH/PE or another tested barrier laminate.

HSQY supplies clear or customized films in roll form with 3-inch or 6-inch cores. Total thickness, roll width, roll diameter, color, PE sealing layer, barrier layer, anti-fog treatment, anti-block level and weld or peel performance can be customized.

The correct multilayer structure should be selected according to the packaged product, required shelf life, oxygen-transmission rate, water-vapor transmission rate, storage temperature, thermoforming depth, lidding film and sealing equipment.

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PET/PE Multilayer Film Video

Watch the video below to learn more about HSQY PET/PE multilayer films, roll production, thermoforming applications and customized barrier-film solutions.

What Is PET/PE Multilayer Film?

PET/PE multilayer film is a laminated packaging material that combines a PET-based structural layer with a polyethylene heat-sealing layer.

For rigid thermoforming applications, the PET-based layer is commonly selected to provide clarity, stiffness, impact performance and stable forming behavior. The PE layer is positioned on the sealing side so the formed tray or bottom web can be sealed with a compatible PE-sealing lidding film.

The material can be supplied as a standard weld-seal grade for strong permanent seals or as a controlled peel grade for packaging that should open without excessive tearing or package distortion.

For products sensitive to oxygen, aroma loss or gas exchange, an EVOH, PVDC, aluminum, metallized or other functional barrier layer may be added. The required structure should be based on measured packaging performance rather than the general term “high barrier.”

PET/PE Film Technical Data Sheet

Review the available technical data sheet below. Before ordering, confirm that the document version, layer structure, total thickness and tested properties correspond to the requested product.

   Download PET/PE Film Data Sheet

PET/PE Multilayer Film Specifications

Final layer structure, total thickness, individual-layer thickness, width tolerance, roll diameter, sealing side, barrier level and food-contact requirements should be recorded in an approved specification before production.

How Each Layer Functions

PET Structural Layer

The PET-based layer provides transparency, stiffness, dimensional support, tensile strength and the main forming body of the package.

PE Heat-Sealing Layer

The PE layer provides a compatible sealing surface, flexibility and moisture resistance. Its formulation affects seal-initiation temperature, hot tack, peel force and contamination tolerance.

EVOH Oxygen-Barrier Layer

EVOH can substantially improve resistance to oxygen, aromas and gases. Its barrier performance depends on EVOH grade, layer thickness, humidity, temperature and the protection provided by adjacent layers.

Tie or Adhesive Layer

A tie resin or lamination adhesive bonds polymers that do not naturally adhere well to one another. Adhesive selection can affect delamination resistance, food-contact suitability and aging performance.

PA Mechanical Layer

Polyamide may be added where deep drawing, flex-crack resistance or puncture resistance is more important than the rigidity of a standard PET-based web.

Standard and High-Barrier Film Structures

Structure names alone are not sufficient to predict shelf life. Individual layer thickness, package geometry, seals, storage humidity, temperature and product respiration can significantly affect final performance.

Barrier Performance: OTR and WVTR

Oxygen Transmission Rate

OTR measures the amount of oxygen that passes through a film under defined test conditions. Lower values indicate greater oxygen-barrier performance.

OTR should always be reported together with the test method, temperature, relative humidity, film thickness and unit of measurement.

Water-Vapor Transmission Rate

WVTR measures moisture-vapor transmission under defined test conditions. PE generally contributes useful moisture resistance, but final WVTR depends on the complete layer structure and thickness.

Shelf-Life Validation

Film data cannot by itself guarantee a specific product shelf life. Shelf-life trials should use the actual product, tray geometry, top film, sealing conditions, gas mixture, distribution temperature and storage period.

Weld, Easy-Peel and Resealable Options

Seal behavior depends on both the bottom web and top film. The two materials should be tested as one packaging system on the actual sealing equipment.

Thermoforming and Form-Fill-Seal Performance

Thermoforming Temperature

Heating conditions should be adjusted according to total thickness, PET grade, forming depth, machine design, heating zones and line speed. One universal forming temperature should not be applied to every structure.

Forming Depth and Draw Ratio

Deeper cavities require more material distribution and can produce thin corners or weak flanges. Buyers should provide cavity dimensions, corner radius and minimum finished-wall requirements.

Plug Assistance

Plug-assisted forming may improve wall distribution in deep or complex cavities. Plug material, temperature and timing should be optimized for the selected film.

Flange Flatness

Uniform heating, forming pressure, cooling and trimming help maintain a flat sealing flange. Distorted flanges can cause channel leaks and inconsistent seal pressure.

Machine Trials

Final approval should be based on trials using the actual forming machine, mold, sealing tool, top film and product.

Multilayer Film Applications

Fresh Meat Packaging

PET/PE and PET/EVOH/PE films can be thermoformed into bottom webs for chilled meat packaging. The structure should be selected according to shelf life, gas mixture, meat color requirements and sealing conditions.

Fish and Seafood Packaging

Barrier laminates can be used for fish fillets, smoked seafood, shellfish and prepared seafood. Puncture resistance, liquid containment, odor barrier and cold-storage performance should be evaluated.

Cheese and Dairy Packaging

Applications include sliced cheese, blocks, portions and dairy snacks. Oxygen barrier, aroma retention, peel behavior and product respiration should be matched to the cheese type.

Delicatessen and Processed Food

Multilayer films can be used for sliced meats, prepared foods, antipasti and convenience portions where clear presentation and consistent sealing are required.

Ready-Meal Packaging

Standard PET/PE should not automatically be described as suitable for hot filling, pasteurization, retort processing, conventional ovens or microwave reheating. These applications require a separately validated heat-resistant structure.

Pharmaceutical and Medical Packaging

Pharmaceutical and medical applications require separately qualified raw materials, controlled manufacturing, traceability, cleanliness and application-specific regulatory documentation. A standard food-packaging grade should not automatically be used.

Modified-Atmosphere and Vacuum Packaging

Modified-Atmosphere Packaging

MAP replaces the air inside the package with a controlled gas mixture. The bottom web, top film and seals must maintain the required gas composition during the intended shelf life.

High-oxygen red-meat MAP, low-oxygen packaging and carbon-dioxide-rich packaging can require different barrier and seal specifications.

Vacuum Packaging

Vacuum packs require strong seals, puncture resistance and sufficient flexibility to conform around the product. Deep or irregular packs may be better suited to PA-based structures than a rigid PET-based web.

Vacuum-Skin Packaging

Vacuum-skin packaging requires a compatible rigid tray or bottom web and a specialized skin film. The skin layer, tray sealant and heating system must be tested as a complete package.

Anti-Fog, Anti-Block and Surface Options

Anti-Fog Treatment

Anti-fog treatment helps reduce the formation of small water droplets that obstruct product visibility. Performance depends on temperature, humidity, product moisture and treatment type.

Anti-Block Additive

Anti-block additives or surface treatments improve roll unwinding and sheet separation. Excessive anti-block can affect clarity, gloss or sealing, so the level should be optimized.

Silicone Coating

Silicone coating may improve denesting, forming release or surface handling. Its compatibility with printing, adhesion and sealing should be confirmed.

Printed and Colored Films

Transparent, white, black, metallic-effect and customized-color structures can be evaluated. Printed films require confirmation of ink, print side, adhesive and forming distortion.

Recommended Packaging Tests

• Total thickness and individual-layer thickness.

• Roll width, roll diameter, core size and winding direction.

• Transparency, haze, gloss and color consistency.

• Oxygen-transmission rate under defined conditions.

• Water-vapor transmission rate under defined conditions.

• Thermoforming temperature window and cavity definition.

• Wall-thickness distribution and minimum corner thickness.

• Flange flatness, shrinkage and dimensional stability.

• Seal-initiation temperature and hot-tack performance.

• Weld or peel strength at different sealing conditions.

• Burst, leak, dye-penetration or vacuum-decay testing.

• Delamination and interlayer bond strength.

• Puncture, impact and flex-crack resistance.

• Anti-fog, anti-block and machine-unwinding performance.

• Product shelf-life and distribution trials.

Food-Contact and Regulatory Requirements

Food-contact suitability depends on the exact PET resin, PE sealant, barrier polymer, tie layer, adhesive, pigment, recycled content and intended contact conditions.

Buyers should specify the destination market, food type, direct-contact side, temperature, duration, filling process and whether the film will be used for freezing, reheating, pasteurization or sterilization.

RoHS relates to restricted substances in electrical and electronic equipment and should not be used alone as proof of food-contact compliance.

ISO 9001 and ISO 14001 are management-system standards. They do not by themselves prove that every multilayer film complies with food-contact regulations or environmental claims.

Recyclability and Sustainability Considerations

PET/PE is a multi-material structure. Its recyclability depends on the relative layer weights, adhesives, barrier layers, pigments, labels and the capabilities of the local recycling system.

A RoHS report, ISO 14001 certificate or use of recyclable individual polymers does not automatically make the complete multilayer film recyclable in practice.

Sustainability improvements may include reducing total thickness, increasing recycled PET content where permitted, simplifying the structure, reducing pigments or coatings and selecting a design compatible with the target recycling stream.

Claims such as recyclable, eco-friendly, sustainable or carbon-reducing should be supported by the exact final structure, market and assessment method.

Custom Multilayer Film Options

• PET/PE standard thermoforming film.

• PET/EVOH/PE high oxygen-barrier film.

• PET/PVDC/PE and other specialty barrier structures.

• Weld-seal, easy-peel and controlled-peel grades.

• Approximately 0.23-0.58mm standard total thickness.

• Customized PE sealing-layer thickness.

• Clear, white, black and customized colors.

• Anti-fog, anti-block, silicone-coated and antistatic options.

• Virgin PET or selected recycled-PET structures subject to application.

• Customized roll width, roll diameter, core and winding direction.

• Printing and reverse-printing options.

• Samples for forming, sealing and shelf-life trials.

Information Required for a Quotation

• Packaged product and target shelf life.

• Required structure or current film sample.

• Total thickness and individual-layer requirements.

• Required OTR and WVTR with test conditions.

• Roll width, diameter, weight and core size.

• Thermoforming-machine brand and model.

• Cavity length, width, depth and corner radius.

• Weld, easy-peel, burst-peel or resealable requirement.

• Top-film material and sealing-layer type.

• Sealing temperature, pressure and dwell time.

• MAP gas mixture, vacuum or normal-atmosphere packaging.

• Anti-fog, anti-block, printing or color requirements.

• Food-contact market and required documents.

• Trial quantity, initial order and annual volume.

• Destination port, packaging and required delivery date.

Send Your Barrier Film Requirements

Packing and Delivery

Sample packing: A4-size PET/PE samples can be sealed in a PP bag and packed in a protective box.

Roll packing: Roll weight, roll diameter, core, wrapping and pallet orientation are customized according to the film dimensions and customer handling limits.

Cut-sheet packing: Where cut sheets are supplied, a reference package weight is approximately 30kg per bag or carton, subject to sheet dimensions.

Pallet packing: Approximately 500-2,000kg can be loaded on a plywood pallet according to roll or sheet dimensions.

Container loading: Reference loading is approximately 20 tons, subject to roll dimensions, pallet arrangement and legal weight restrictions.

Shipping: Samples and small orders can be shipped by DHL, FedEx, UPS or TNT. Bulk orders can be shipped by sea or air freight.

Certificates and Quality Documentation

HSQY can provide available product test reports, restricted-substance documents and management-system certificates for review.

Buyers should confirm that each report corresponds to the exact PET grade, PE sealant, barrier layer, adhesive, color, thickness and intended application.

Why Choose HSQY as Your Multilayer Film Supplier?

HSQY Plastic Group supplies PET/PE sheets, high-barrier composite films, lidding films, thermoforming materials and food-packaging trays to international converters, food manufacturers and packaging distributors.

• PET/PE and PET/EVOH/PE structure development.

• Standard and high-barrier thermoforming films.

• Weld-seal and easy-peel options.

• Customized thickness, width, core and roll diameter.

• Anti-fog, anti-block and printed-film options.

• Samples for forming, sealing and package trials.

• Food-contact documentation subject to specification.

• Export packing and international shipping support.

Before bulk production, HSQY recommends validating the selected film using the buyer's actual product, thermoforming machine, mold, lidding film, gas mixture and sealing parameters.

Explore the PET/PE laminated sheet range and high-barrier composite films for additional structures.

Contact HSQY for Samples and Pricing

HSQY Global Exhibitions

HSQY presents multilayer packaging films, thermoforming sheets, lidding films and food-packaging solutions at international plastics and packaging exhibitions.

Frequently Asked Questions About PET/PE Multilayer Films

What is PET/PE multilayer film?

PET/PE multilayer film combines a PET-based structural layer with a PE heat-sealing layer for thermoformed trays, bottom webs and form-fill-seal packaging.

What does the PET layer do?

The PET layer provides clarity, rigidity, strength, dimensional stability and the main thermoforming body of the package.

What does the PE layer do?

The PE layer provides heat-sealing capability, flexibility and moisture resistance. It also determines much of the weld or peel behavior.

Is PET/PE film a high oxygen-barrier film?

Standard PET/PE offers useful packaging performance, but it should not automatically be classified as an ultra-high oxygen-barrier structure. Confirm its measured OTR for the required application.

What is the difference between PET/PE and PET/EVOH/PE?

PET/EVOH/PE contains an EVOH layer that provides significantly greater resistance to oxygen, aromas and gases than a standard PET/PE structure.

When should I use an EVOH barrier?

EVOH is commonly selected for oxygen-sensitive meat, fish, cheese, delicatessen and modified-atmosphere packs requiring lower oxygen transmission.

Is PET/PE film suitable for thermoforming?

Yes. Suitable PET/PE grades can be thermoformed into trays and bottom webs. Heating, mold design, forming depth and cooling should be tested on the actual machine.

Is the film suitable for form-fill-seal equipment?

Yes. Roll width, core, forming conditions, indexing and sealing performance should be matched to the FFS machine.

Can PET/PE film be used for modified-atmosphere packaging?

It may be used when the measured barrier performance meets the MAP requirements. Oxygen-sensitive or long-shelf-life products may require PET/EVOH/PE.

What is OTR?

OTR is oxygen transmission rate. It measures how much oxygen passes through the film under specified temperature and humidity conditions.

What is WVTR?

WVTR is water-vapor transmission rate. It measures moisture-vapor transmission through the film under defined test conditions.

What is the difference between weld and easy-peel film?

Weld film creates a strong permanent seal. Easy-peel film is formulated to open at a controlled force without excessive tearing or tray deformation.

Can anti-fog treatment be added?

Yes. Anti-fog options can be evaluated for chilled and moisture-generating foods where condensation reduces product visibility.

Can recycled PET be used?

Selected structures can include recycled PET subject to food-contact requirements, functional-barrier design, clarity and customer specifications.

Is PET/PE multilayer film recyclable?

PET/PE is a multi-material laminate. Actual recyclability depends on the layer ratio, adhesive, additives and the recycling infrastructure in the destination market.

Do ISO 9001 and ISO 14001 prove that the film is recyclable?

No. They are management-system standards and do not determine the recyclability of a specific multilayer packaging structure.

Is PET/PE film microwave or oven safe?

Standard PET/PE should not automatically be used for microwave, oven, retort or high-temperature filling applications. A separately validated heat-resistant grade is required.

Is the film suitable for freezing?

Freezer suitability depends on the PET formulation, impact performance, seal layer and storage temperature. Low-temperature testing is required.

Can the film be customized?

Yes. Structure, total thickness, PE layer, width, core, color, barrier level, anti-fog, anti-block and sealing behavior can be customized.

What is the minimum order quantity?

The standard MOQ is approximately 1,000kg. Special structures, colors and functional coatings may require a different minimum quantity.

Are samples available?

A4 sheets or limited roll samples may be available for testing clarity, thermoforming, sealing and barrier performance. Courier freight is normally paid by the buyer.

What is the production lead time?

Standard production normally takes approximately 10-14 working days after the specification, quantity, packaging and payment are confirmed.

What information is needed for a quotation?

Provide the packaged product, required shelf life, structure, thickness, width, roll dimensions, forming depth, OTR, WVTR, seal type, lidding film, quantity and destination.

Get a Custom Barrier Film Quote

About HSQY Plastic Group

Changzhou Huisu Qinye Plastic Group Co., Ltd. supplies PET/PE multilayer films, high-barrier laminates, thermoforming sheets, lidding films, PET trays, PP trays and CPET food-packaging products.

HSQY supports international food manufacturers, thermoforming companies, packaging converters and distributors with material selection, sample evaluation, custom production, technical documentation and export delivery.

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