High-barrier PET/EVOH/PE sealing film, also known as EVOH lidding film, oxygen-barrier tray film or MAP top-seal film, is a multilayer flexible packaging material developed for food trays that require reduced oxygen transmission, reliable sealing and controlled gas retention.
A typical structure combines a PET or BOPET outer layer, an EVOH oxygen-barrier layer, tie or adhesive layers and a PE-based food-contact sealing layer.
The PET layer provides clarity, tensile strength, stiffness, dimensional stability and printability. EVOH provides the principal oxygen and aroma barrier, while the PE-based inner layer heat-seals to a compatible PE sealing surface.
HSQY's current standard product is a high-barrier lock-seal film intended primarily for compatible PET/PE trays, PET/EVOH/PE trays and other containers whose sealing flange presents a suitable PE-based surface.
The final film structure, oxygen transmission rate, water-vapor transmission rate, seal strength and shelf-life performance must be specified and tested under agreed application conditions.
| Film Layer | Primary Function | Purchasing Consideration |
|---|---|---|
| PET or BOPET Outer Layer | Provides clarity, stiffness, tensile strength, dimensional stability and printability | Confirm film gauge, haze, gloss, surface treatment, shrinkage and printing requirements |
| Printing Layer | Carries logos, graphics, product information, barcodes and traceability details | Confirm printing side, ink system, color count, print repeat and eye-mark position |
| Lamination Adhesive | Bonds the PET layer to the barrier and sealing structure | Confirm curing time, bond strength, migration, residual odor and storage requirements |
| Tie Layers | Bond EVOH to PE or other surrounding layers | Confirm delamination resistance and complete coextruded structure |
| EVOH Barrier Layer | Provides the primary oxygen, gas and aroma barrier | Barrier depends on EVOH grade, thickness, temperature and relative humidity |
| PE-Based Sealant Layer | Heat-seals the film to a compatible PE sealing surface | Match the sealant to the tray flange, contamination level and required seal strength |
| Optional Anti-Fog Treatment | Reduces visible water droplets on the food-facing surface | Confirm filling temperature, chilled-storage conditions and required performance duration |
Reduced oxygen transmission: EVOH can significantly reduce oxygen entry when protected within a correctly designed multilayer structure.
MAP gas retention: A high-barrier lid can help retain carbon dioxide, nitrogen or other selected packaging gases.
Aroma protection: EVOH helps reduce the loss of desirable aromas and the entry of external odors.
Oxidation control: Reduced oxygen exposure may slow discoloration, rancidity, flavor deterioration and nutrient oxidation for suitable foods.
Transparent packaging: Clear PET, EVOH and PE layers allow product visibility without relying on aluminum foil.
Mechanical protection: PET or BOPET provides stiffness, tensile strength and stable web handling.
Custom printing: The outer PET surface supports branding, instructions and traceability.
High barrier does not mean that one film can independently guarantee food safety or shelf life. The tray, seal, gas mixture, hygiene and cold chain must also perform correctly.
EVOH is an effective oxygen-barrier material, but its gas-barrier performance is sensitive to moisture and relative humidity.
For this reason, EVOH is normally positioned between PE or other moisture-resistant layers instead of being used as an exposed food-contact or outside surface.
An OTR result measured under dry laboratory conditions should not automatically be presented as the guaranteed performance of a moist chilled-food package.
Any stated oxygen transmission rate should identify:
Test standard
Test temperature
Relative humidity on each side of the film
Film thickness
Film orientation
Test units
Whether the value applies to the film or complete package
The following table summarizes the current standard HSQY high-barrier lock-seal product. Final guaranteed values should appear in the approved technical data sheet and purchase specification.
| Product Type | High-barrier tray lidding film |
| Material Structure | PET or BOPET / EVOH / PE multilayer laminate or coextrusion-lamination combination |
| Standard Seal Type | Lock seal or weld seal |
| Easy-Peel Option | Requires a separately developed easy-peel sealant grade |
| Reference Thickness | Approximately 0.052–0.09 mm, or 52–90 μm |
| Roll Width | Approximately 150–900 mm, with custom slitting available |
| Selected Widths | 180 mm, 320 mm, 400 mm, 640 mm and custom widths |
| Reference Roll Length | Approximately 500 m, with custom roll lengths available |
| Core Diameter | Customized according to the tray sealing machine |
| Appearance | Clear or custom printed |
| Reference Density | Approximately 1.36 g/cm³ for the listed standard product |
| Oxygen Barrier | High-barrier grade; specify target OTR and test conditions |
| Moisture Barrier | Structure-dependent; specify target WVTR and test conditions |
| Anti-Fog | Not included in the current standard grade; custom development can be discussed |
| Microwave and Oven Use | Not suitable for the current standard grade |
| Freezer Use | Not specified for the current standard grade |
| Primary Tray Application | Compatible PET/PE, PET/EVOH/PE and PE-seal-surface trays |
| Packaging Methods | Atmospheric tray sealing, gas-flush MAP and vacuum-and-gas MAP after validation |
| Compatible Equipment | Manual, semi-automatic and fully automatic tray sealing machines |
| Reference MOQ | Approximately 1,000 kg per specification |
| Reference Lead Time | Approximately 10–15 days after deposit and final specification approval |
| Printing | Flexographic or gravure printing available by project |
The current product is a lock-seal grade. Easy-peel, anti-fog, low-temperature and thermal grades require separate structures and should not be inferred from the standard specification.
| Barrier Metric | What It Measures | What the Buyer Should Specify |
|---|---|---|
| OTR | Oxygen passing through a defined film area over a defined time | Maximum value, test standard, temperature, relative humidity, thickness and units |
| WVTR | Water vapor passing through a defined film area over time | Maximum value, test standard, temperature, humidity gradient and units |
| Whole-Pack Oxygen Ingress | Oxygen entering through the lid, tray, seal, corners, pinholes and package leaks | Pack size, tray barrier, seal width, leak method, storage time and acceptable residual oxygen |
| Gas Retention | Ability to maintain the selected MAP gas composition | Initial gas mixture, headspace, product respiration, storage temperature and test intervals |
A film-only OTR result does not represent the oxygen ingress of the complete tray package.
The current HSQY PET/EVOH/PE product uses a lock-seal or weld-seal structure.
Lock-seal film is selected when package security, gas retention, leakage resistance and transport stability are more important than consumer peelability.
A lock-seal package may require cutting, piercing or tearing to access the food. It should not be marketed as easy peel unless a separately developed peelable sealant has been tested.
Review the related high-barrier lock-seal PET/EVOH/PE lidding film .
An easy-peel high-barrier film combines oxygen protection with controlled consumer opening.
A successful easy-peel version should provide:
Sufficient gas and leak resistance during distribution
Controlled peel-initiation force
Stable peel-propagation force
One-piece lid removal
Minimal tearing or shredding
Consistent opening after refrigerated storage
Barrier retention after sealing and handling
Easy-peel performance requires a separate sealant formulation and should be treated as a customized product rather than a setting change to the standard lock-seal film.
Modified atmosphere packaging replaces most of the normal air in a tray with a controlled food-grade gas mixture before sealing.
A complete MAP system includes more than the lidding film.
| MAP Component | Why It Matters | Validation Requirement |
|---|---|---|
| Lidding Film | Controls oxygen ingress, gas loss, puncture resistance and seal performance | OTR, WVTR, thickness, seal strength and roll quality |
| Tray | A low-barrier tray can become the main route for oxygen entry | Tray structure, EVOH layer, flange composition, dimensions and OTR |
| Seal | A high-barrier lid cannot compensate for a weak, contaminated or incomplete seal | Seal width, temperature, pressure, dwell time and leak testing |
| Gas Mixture | Different foods require different oxygen, carbon dioxide and nitrogen levels | Initial gas concentration, residual oxygen, headspace ratio and gas-analysis schedule |
| Food Product | Fat, moisture, acidity, respiration and microbiology affect package requirements | Product-specific safety, oxidation and shelf-life testing |
| Cold Chain | Temperature affects microbiology, gas solubility, film barrier and product respiration | Storage, transport and retail-display temperature validation |
The food-specific MAP gas mixture and target shelf life should be established by qualified food-packaging and food-safety specialists.
HSQY also supplies PET/EVOH/PE high-barrier trays and PET/PE trays for compatible sealing-film projects.
| Comparison | Gas-Flush MAP | Vacuum-and-Gas MAP |
|---|---|---|
| Air Removal | Gas displaces part of the normal air | Most air is removed before the gas mixture is introduced |
| Residual Oxygen Control | Depends strongly on gas flow, tray geometry and cycle design | Can provide more controlled residual oxygen when correctly configured |
| Equipment Complexity | Generally lower | Requires vacuum equipment and a longer cycle |
| Output | Can be faster for suitable products | Vacuum and gas stages may reduce cycle speed |
Standard PET/EVOH/PE lidding film should not automatically be used as a vacuum skin packaging film.
VSP film must heat, soften and conform closely around the product while bonding to a compatible tray or board. It requires specialized forming depth, vacuum response, puncture resistance and sealing performance.
A flat high-barrier lidding film and a thermoformable vacuum skin film are different product types.
| Tray Material | Compatibility Guidance | Recommended Approach |
|---|---|---|
| PET/PE Tray | Primary application when the tray flange presents a compatible PE sealing surface | Confirm PE grade, flange geometry and seal strength on the actual tray |
| PET/EVOH/PE Tray | Suitable for a complete high-barrier MAP system when the outside sealing surface is PE | Match tray and lid barrier, verify gas retention and test the complete package |
| PE or PE-Coated Tray | May be compatible with the PE-based sealant layer | Test lock-seal strength and seal-through-contamination performance |
| Plain APET or rPET Tray | A plain PET flange may not seal correctly to the standard PE sealant | Use a PET-compatible or universal sealant grade after testing |
| CPET Tray | The standard grade should not automatically be treated as CPET-compatible or ovenable | Select a dedicated CPET-compatible thermal structure |
| PP or PP/EVOH/PP Tray | PP sealing surfaces normally require a PP-compatible sealant | Use EVOH/PP or another qualified PP lidding-film structure |
| PS, PVC or Aluminum Tray | Standard PE-seal compatibility should not be assumed | Use a substrate-specific coating or sealant formulation |
| Coated Paperboard Tray | Compatibility depends on the polymer liner or coating on the flange | Test the film against the exact board and coating structure |
Physical tray samples, technical drawings or a complete tray-layer specification should be provided before a bulk film order is confirmed.
High-barrier lidding films can be evaluated for beef, pork, lamb, minced meat, sausages and processed meat packed under modified atmosphere.
Meat-packaging projects may also require puncture resistance, seal-through-contamination performance, anti-fog properties and controlled residual oxygen.
Applications include chicken portions, turkey, marinated poultry and prepared poultry products.
Bone edges and liquid release may require additional puncture strength and reliable sealing through limited moisture or grease contamination.
EVOH barrier films can be used for fish fillets, shrimp, shellfish and prepared seafood when matched to the required cold chain and package atmosphere.
Cheese portions, sliced cheese, dairy-based meals and selected dairy products can use barrier films to reduce oxygen exposure and aroma transfer.
Applications include cooked meat, pasta, rice, vegetables, sauces, curries and prepared chilled meals requiring gas retention and secure sealing.
Lock-seal high-barrier films can be evaluated for deli products, dips, sauces and liquid-rich foods requiring greater leakage resistance.
High-value products sensitive to oxidation, aroma loss or discoloration may benefit from a properly designed barrier package.
High-barrier film is not automatically suitable for every fruit or vegetable.
Respiring produce may require controlled gas permeability or microperforation. An excessively high barrier can create an unsuitable package atmosphere if respiration is not considered.
Anti-fog and oxygen barrier are separate film functions.
EVOH controls gas transmission, while anti-fog treatment changes the way condensed water spreads across the food-facing film surface.
The current standard HSQY high-barrier grade does not include anti-fog treatment. A customized anti-fog version can be evaluated for chilled meat, seafood, cheese and ready-meal packaging.
Anti-fog performance depends on:
Food filling temperature
Product moisture level
Cooling speed
Refrigerated storage temperature
Temperature fluctuations
Film orientation
Required storage duration
No. The current standard HSQY PET/EVOH/PE lock-seal film is not specified as microwaveable.
Microwave applications require a separately qualified film tested with the actual tray, meal, power level, heating time and steam-release instructions.
No. A dedicated ovenable film and compatible ovenable tray are required for conventional-oven applications.
The current standard grade is not specified as freezer-safe.
A low-temperature grade requires separate testing of impact resistance, film flexibility, laminate bond, puncture resistance and seal integrity.
Standard high-barrier lidding film should not automatically be used for retort processing.
Retort packaging requires a dedicated structure validated for processing temperature, pressure, duration, food composition and post-retort barrier performance.
PET/EVOH/PE lidding film can be converted for manual, semi-automatic and fully automatic tray sealing equipment when the roll and sealing specifications match the machine.
Buyers should provide:
Tray-sealer manufacturer and model
Atmospheric, gas-flush or vacuum-and-gas process
Tooling and cavity layout
Film width
Core inside diameter
Maximum roll outside diameter
Maximum roll weight
Winding direction
PE sealing side wound inside or outside
Sealing temperature
Sealing pressure
Dwell time
Production speed
Cutting system
Print-registration sensor
MAP gas-control equipment
HSQY also supplies food tray sealing machines for standard heat sealing and selected MAP packaging lines.
The sealing window is the combination of temperature, pressure and dwell time that produces a continuous seal without damaging the film or tray.
Line trials should evaluate:
Minimum seal-initiation temperature
Maximum temperature before film or tray distortion
Required sealing pressure
Minimum effective dwell time
Hot-tack strength
Lock-seal strength after cooling
Film tearing or cohesive failure
Seal-through-contamination performance
Web tracking and cutting
Wrinkles and channel leaks
Burst resistance
Residual oxygen
Gas retention during storage
Water, blood, sauce, oil, fat and food particles on the tray flange can create leak channels and reduce package gas retention.
Selected sealant formulations can tolerate limited contamination, but no film should replace effective filling control and flange cleaning.
Contamination testing should use the actual food residue, tray, line speed, sealing parameters and refrigerated conditioning cycle.
| Problem | Possible Causes | Items to Check |
|---|---|---|
| Film Does Not Seal | Incompatible tray surface, reversed film, low temperature or insufficient pressure | Tray flange, PE sealing side, temperature, pressure and dwell time |
| Package Loses MAP Gas | Low tray barrier, incomplete seal, pinhole, puncture or unsuitable film barrier | Lid OTR, tray OTR, seal continuity, leak rate and package damage |
| Residual Oxygen Is Too High | Inadequate gas flush, insufficient vacuum, poor tray geometry or leakage | MAP cycle, gas flow, vacuum level, headspace and seal integrity |
| Barrier Performance Is Lower Than Expected | High humidity, insufficient EVOH thickness, pinholes, flex cracking or unsuitable test comparison | Test temperature, humidity, thickness, structure and actual package conditions |
| Package Leaks | Food contamination, wrinkles, film punctures, cracked trays or incomplete seals | Flange cleanliness, film integrity, tray condition and complete seal continuity |
| Film Delamination | Inadequate adhesive cure, excessive heat, chemical exposure or weak tie layers | Bond strength, residual solvent, layer structure and food composition |
| Film Tears or Punctures | Insufficient gauge, sharp product edges, rough handling or excessive web tension | Film thickness, puncture resistance, tray design and handling process |
| Poor Roll Feeding | Telescoping, blocking, incorrect winding or unsuitable coefficient of friction | Roll build, storage, winding direction, tension and machine settings |
OTR testing: Report the test standard, temperature, relative humidity, thickness and units.
WVTR testing: Report the test standard, temperature and humidity gradient.
Lamination-bond strength: Verify resistance to delamination during conversion, sealing and storage.
Seal strength: Define the test method and acceptable range for the actual tray.
Leak testing: Use vacuum, pressure-decay, bubble, dye or another agreed method.
Residual oxygen: Measure immediately after packaging and at defined storage intervals.
Gas composition: Monitor changes in oxygen, carbon dioxide and nitrogen during storage.
Thickness profile: Verify barrier consistency, stiffness and roll quality.
Puncture resistance: Evaluate performance against product edges and distribution damage.
Optical and roll quality: Check haze, gloss, gels, scratches, wrinkles, telescoping and edge alignment.
Shelf-life validation: Test the actual food and complete package under intended cold-chain conditions.
The PET or BOPET outer layer can support custom flexographic or gravure printing.
Printed-film projects can include:
Brand logos
Product names
Ingredients and nutritional information
Storage and opening instructions
Barcodes and QR codes
Date-code areas
Transparent product windows
Registration marks for automatic tray sealers
Traceability and batch information
Printed-film projects should confirm artwork, color count, print repeat, eye-mark position, winding direction, ink system and annual order volume.
Food-contact suitability depends on the complete PET, EVOH, tie-layer, adhesive, PE sealant, anti-fog and printing structure.
Buyers should request documentation for the exact approved grade, including available:
Technical data sheet
Certificate of analysis
Food-contact declaration
Migration or compliance test reports
OTR and WVTR reports
Seal-strength test method
Restricted-substance statements
Batch traceability information
Destination-market documentation
ISO 9001 is a quality-management-system certification and should not be presented as product-specific proof that every film complies with all food-contact requirements.
PET/EVOH/PE film contains more than one polymer family and should not automatically be described as a mono-material or universally recyclable film.
Actual recyclability depends on:
PET-to-PE ratio
EVOH content
Tie layers and lamination adhesive
Printing inks and coatings
Tray material
Ability to separate the lid from the tray
Food contamination
Local collection and sorting infrastructure
Destination-market design-for-recycling requirements
PE-rich or PP-rich high-barrier films can be developed as separate recycling-focused structures, but any recyclability claim should be supported by a complete package assessment.
Custom 52–90 μm thickness and tolerance
Custom 150–900 mm roll width
Custom roll length
Custom core diameter
Custom roll weight and maximum outside diameter
Custom winding direction
Custom EVOH grade and barrier level
Custom EVOH thickness
Custom tie-layer and adhesive structure
Custom PE sealant formulation
Lock-seal or hard-peel grades
Separately developed easy-peel grades
Anti-fog treatment
Seal-through-contamination performance
Puncture-resistant structures
Custom OTR and WVTR targets
Flexographic or gravure printing
Eye marks and print repeats
Transparent windows and coding areas
Custom cartons, labels and export pallets
High-barrier film rolls should be protected from moisture, dust, excessive heat, direct sunlight, impact and roll-edge damage.
Packaging options may include:
Protective inner bags
Roll-end protection
Individual export cartons
Batch and specification labels
Seal-side and winding-direction identification
Pallet stretch wrapping
Corner and edge protectors
Fumigation-free export pallets
Customer-specific shipping marks
Rolls should remain in their original packaging in a clean and dry storage environment. Recommended storage time and conditions should be confirmed for the final film structure.
Defined high-barrier structure: PET or BOPET provides strength, EVOH provides oxygen barrier and PE provides tray sealing.
Lock-seal performance: The standard product is designed for secure tray closure and MAP gas retention.
Custom barrier levels: EVOH grade and layer thickness can be adjusted according to agreed OTR targets.
Custom roll conversion: Thickness, width, length, core, diameter and winding direction can be specified.
Printing support: Logos, graphics, traceability, eye marks and transparent windows are available.
Tray-and-film matching: Recommendations can be based on PET/PE or PET/EVOH/PE tray samples.
MAP line support: Film can be reviewed against the tray sealer, gas-flush system and production speed.
Testing support: OTR, WVTR, seal strength, leak, residual-oxygen and line-trial requirements can be discussed.
Complete packaging supply: HSQY also supplies high-barrier trays, PET/PE trays and tray sealing machines.
Export service: Roll labeling, pallet packing and international delivery can be coordinated.
Tray material, complete layer structure, supplier, product code, drawing or physical sample
Tray dimensions, flange width, compartment layout and fill weight
Food type, fat content, moisture, respiration and oxidation sensitivity
Required shelf life and storage temperature
Initial MAP gas mixture and residual-oxygen target
Headspace or gas-to-product ratio
Target OTR and WVTR with test conditions and units
Lock-seal, hard-peel or easy-peel requirement
Anti-fog and contamination-sealing requirements
Tray-sealing machine brand, model and tooling layout
Gas-flush or vacuum-and-gas system
Production line speed
Film thickness, width and roll length
Core inside diameter and maximum roll outside diameter
Maximum roll weight and winding direction
Printing, eye mark, transparent window and coding requirements
Food-contact, migration, barrier and quality documentation requirements
Trial quantity and annual consumption
Destination country, port or delivery address
Requested launch or delivery date
It is a multilayer tray-sealing film that combines PET or BOPET for strength, EVOH for oxygen barrier and a PE-based layer for sealing to a compatible PE surface.
EVOH reduces oxygen, gas and aroma transmission. Its performance depends on EVOH grade, thickness, temperature, humidity and protection by surrounding layers.
EVOH barrier performance is sensitive to humidity. Moisture-resistant PE layers help protect the EVOH layer from direct moisture exposure.
OTR measures oxygen transmission, while WVTR measures water-vapor transmission. They protect against different packaging risks and require different test conditions.
The current category does not publish one universal guaranteed OTR. Buyers should specify the required value together with temperature, humidity, thickness, standard and units.
No single film can guarantee shelf life. Tray barrier, seal integrity, hygiene, gas mixture, food microbiology, residual oxygen and cold-chain control must also be validated.
No. The current standard grade is a high-barrier lock-seal or weld-seal film. Easy-peel requires a separate sealant formulation.
Lock seal prioritizes package security and gas retention. Easy peel balances package security with controlled consumer opening.
The standard PE sealant is mainly intended for PET/PE, PET/EVOH/PE and other trays with a compatible PE sealing surface.
Not automatically. A plain PET surface may require a direct-to-PET or universal sealant grade.
Standard compatibility should not be assumed. PP trays normally require a PP-compatible EVOH/PP or similar lidding-film structure.
The standard grade should not automatically be treated as CPET-compatible or ovenable. A dedicated CPET sealing film is required.
Yes, when it is combined with a compatible high-barrier tray, reliable seal, suitable gas mixture and validated MAP process.
Standard lidding film is not automatically suitable for VSP. Vacuum skin packaging requires a thermoformable skin film and specialized equipment.
Anti-fog is not included in the current standard grade. A customized anti-fog version can be discussed.
No. The current standard product is not specified as microwaveable.
No. A dedicated ovenable film and compatible ovenable tray are required.
The current standard grade is not specified as freezer-safe. A low-temperature film requires separate validation.
The current standard range is approximately 52–90 μm, with customized thicknesses available subject to confirmation.
The reference range is approximately 150–900 mm. Selected widths include 180 mm, 320 mm, 400 mm and 640 mm.
The reference standard roll length is approximately 500 m, with custom conversion available.
Possible causes include oxygen ingress, gas loss, tray permeability, seal leakage, product respiration and temperature variation.
Common causes include an incompatible tray flange, reversed film, insufficient temperature, inadequate pressure or short dwell time.
Selected sealant formulations can tolerate limited contamination, but the flange should still be kept as clean as possible.
Yes. Printing can include logos, ingredients, product information, barcodes, QR codes, eye marks and transparent windows.
It is a multi-polymer structure and should not automatically be described as universally recyclable. The complete package requires a market-specific assessment.
The current reference MOQ is approximately 1,000 kg. Trial quantities depend on stock, width, barrier structure and printing requirements.
The reference lead time is approximately 10–15 days after the deposit and final specification are confirmed.
Samples or trial rolls can be discussed for tray compatibility, seal strength, barrier, MAP-line and gas-retention testing.
Looking for a high-barrier PET/EVOH/PE sealing-film manufacturer, MAP lidding-film supplier or lock-seal oxygen-barrier film for food trays?
Contact HSQY to request technical recommendations, tray compatibility support, OTR and WVTR requirements, trial rolls, custom printing, factory pricing and international shipping information.
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