When you walk into the grocery store or your local corner store, do you stop to think about how the meat, candy, and sauces are packaged? Probably not every time, but flow wrap packaging is ever-present across the food, healthcare, and numerous other industries. The magic of flow wrap and how it has transformed multiple industries is truly fascinating. While it may not be the first thing you think about when you are grocery shopping, it's constantly changing and adapting as technologies advance.
To break it down, let’s explore why polyethylene-based flow wraps are the unsung heroes of packaging, offering benefits that other materials just can't match.
The magic of flow wrap and how it has transformed multiple industries is truly fascinating. While it may not be the first thing you think about when you are grocery shopping, it's constantly changing and adapting as technologies advance.
Polyethylene is a unique resin that brings advantages to flow wrap packaging that other resins, like polypropylene, simply can’t provide. Polyethylene (PE) has the ability to handle the challenges of packaging products from hot-fill sauces to frozen poultry. It is a flexible and durable material that offers high-level sealing integrity, making it the perfect choice for products that need to stay fresh, safe, and protected. Whether it’s in the freezer, fridge, or pantry, polyethylene flow wrap makes it happen.
So, what’s the big deal about flow wrap and flow wrappers? Let’s unwrap it together (pun intended)!
Over the years, flow wrap packaging has evolved from a simple protective layer to a dynamic solution capable of meeting the demands of various industries. Initially, flow wrap was primarily used for basic sealing and preservation, but as technology advanced, so did the material science behind it. Polyethylene (PE) has played a pivotal role in this evolution, becoming the preferred resin for flow wrap due to its unmatched versatility and performance. Unlike other materials like polypropylene, PE excels in applications requiring high-temperature resistance, such as hot-fill sauces, while also maintaining flexibility in freezing temperatures for meat and poultry storage. This adaptability has allowed PE flow wrap to handle a wide range of products, from dairy to grains, all while ensuring strong, airtight seals that preserve freshness and protect against contamination. As flow wrap continues to adapt to the latest packaging technologies, polyethylene remains at the forefront, providing the perfect balance of strength, flexibility, and protective qualities that modern industries demand.
Now, let’s dive into some examples of where polyethylene flow wrap excels:
iryPackaging fresh meats or fish is no small feat. These products require airtight and moisture-resistant packaging that preserves freshness and prevents spoilage. With PE flow wrap providing superior sealing capabilities for your flow wrapper, you can rest assured that your beef, pork, or poultry is securely wrapped and protected from oxygen and contaminants. This is crucial for extending the shelf life of your product while maintaining its quality.
MAP, or Modified Atmosphere Packaging, is critical in the meat, poultry, and dairy industries. When it comes to extending the shelf life of these products, polyethylene flow wrap films are perfectly suited for gas flush packaging (typically using nitrogen). They create a barrier against oxygen while keeping the modified atmosphere inside. This protection helps preserve the color, texture, and freshness of beef, pork, and poultry, ensuring that they arrive on store shelves just as pristine as when they were first processed.
Flow wrap films are perfectly suited for hot-fill applications. The packaging can withstand the high temperatures during the filling process without compromising the seal integrity. Whether it’s a rich tomato sauce, a dairy-based product like yogurt, or even hot chili, polyethylene flow wrap films can handle the heat while providing a strong, leak-resistant seal. This is a key advantage of PE over other resins, which can struggle to maintain a high-quality seal under such conditions.
Freezer burn is the enemy of frozen meats, but with standard PE flow wrap film, you can say goodbye to that problem for good. Polyethylene film maintains its flexibility in freezing temperatures, ensuring that the packaging continues to protect your products. Whether you’re freezing poultry, fish, or grain products, PE flow wrap’s high barrier properties make it the go-to material for long-term freezer storage, reducing the risk of cracking or leaking.
Dairy products require packaging that can handle a wide variety of conditions. They may be packaged hot or cold, and the packaging needs to stand up to both. (Speak to your Product Manager for our new Hot/Cold Flow Wrap Film.) Polyethylene’s flexibility, along with its strong sealing properties, ensures that it is the ideal film for dairy products. Its ability to maintain a secure seal through temperature variations makes it the best choice for keeping dairy products fresh.
Whether you’re using a vertical form fill sealer (VFFS) or a horizontal form fill and seal (HFFS) machine to package sauces, you need a material that can withstand both hot and cold fill processes. With its high barrier properties and excellent seal strength, polyethylene flow wrap is the perfect choice for any standard sauce pouch.
At Polytarp, we’ve developed multiple custom options perfectly suited to your specific applications. From using MAP equipment to filling hot or cold sauces, we have the right solution for you.
Our Vertical & Horizontal Form Film and Seal Flow Wrap (VFFS and HFFS) solutions are freezer-safe, heat-resistant, and customizable to meet your unique needs. We offer multi-layer options for enhanced protection, along with strong sealing properties that ensure your products remain fresh and intact. From gas flush packaging for MAP equipment to flexible films for grains and sauces, our polyethylene flow wrap solutions are designed to work across a variety of applications—without compromising on quality.
Need a packaging solution that’s tough enough for freezer storage but gentle enough for hot-fill dairy products? We’ve got you covered. With Polytarp’s polyethylene films, you’ll get the flexibility, strength, and sealing integrity that your products demand, ensuring they stay fresh and safe every step of the way.
At Polytarp Products, we’re committed to providing customized, high-quality, high barrier flowwrap solutions that meet the specific needs of your business. Ready to learn more about how our polyethylene flowrap can help protect your products and streamline your packaging process? Contact us today and let’s get started!