Recent Updates on the Barrier Properties of Ethylene Vinyl Alcohol Copolymer (EVOH): A Review

Abstract

The gas barrier properties of ethylene vinyl alcohol copolymer (EVOH) against oxygen, carbon dioxide and water vapor have been widely investigated in relation to different material characteristics, environmental conditions and new processing technologies. Recently, EVOH is gaining more attention as a barrier material against other gases and organic substances such as aromas, flavors, fuels, chemicals (e.g., BTEX), and as a functional barrier, e.g., to avoid mineral oil migration. This review contains an update on permeability data of EVOH emphasizing its potential as a barrier material for new and versatile applications in food and pharmaceutical packaging, agriculture, construction, automotive, etc.

Multilayer packaging: Advances in preparation techniques and emerging food applications

“…Often, adhesive or tie layers are provided in between the two different polymeric materials to facilitate adherence and to enhance the strength of layer bonding (Maes et al., 2018). The fundamental constituent of most multilayer structures is a polyolefin such as polyethylene (PE) or polypropylene (PP), owing to its abundance, versatility, flexibility in processing, cost affordability, excellent moisture barrier properties, and chemical inertness.…”

Packaging Design Alternatives for Meat Products

“…This is particularly relevant for EVOH due to its hydrophilic nature, with water molecules interacting with polar hydroxyl groups in EVOH when exposed to humid environments, leading to a plasticization effect that distance between adjacent molecules (free volume) particularly into the polymer amorphous phase [17]. The impact of moisture into EVOH barrier properties is well-known [17][18][19], and its performance as barrier material will be dependent on environmental conditions; the final package will be exposed.…”

“…Coextruded films are rapidly demonstrating high potential to reduce the impact of moisture into EVOH polymers, serving as an important tool for improved packaging design. Two approaches are generally used to protect EVOH from humid environments, the thicknesses of the layers protecting EVOH and the moisture barrier layers of such grades, being the most effective solution is the use of a material with higher moisture barrier in the side with highest relative humidity and a material with lower moisture barrier in the side with lower relative humidity [17,19], concluding that it is not sufficient to pack EVOH layers in between thick high-moisture barrier layers, but the asymmetric design can deliver improved performance even with thinner layers. Combinations of EVOH with other polymers are also commonly found in the different packaging structures.…”

Effect of packaging oxygen transmission rate on the shelf life of ready‐to‐heat foods susceptible to postcontamination during refrigerated and illuminated storage

“…Different materials can be combined into a multilayer material, adding up their properties leading to increased barrier properties and thinner materials. EVOH is a commonly used material in multilayer systems, as thin layers of this material provide excellent gas barrier properties . EVOH is sensitive to moisture, which is why it is commonly embedded within two polymer layers with good moisture barrier properties.…”

“…EVOH is a commonly used material in multilayer systems, as thin layers of this material provide excellent gas barrier properties. 20 EVOH is sensitive to moisture, which is why it is commonly embedded within two polymer layers with good moisture barrier properties. The multilayered materials are, however, difficult to recycle, putting a lot of pressure on them given the fact that the European Commission has decided that by 2030 all plastic packaging placed on the EU market should be recyclable or reusable Plastics Strategy).…”