Oxygen and moisture absorption packaging for maximum product protection
- Details
- Published on Friday, 05 October 2012 08:39
- Written by Staff Reporter
JAPAN – Kyodo Printing has eliminated problems associated with using desiccants with its development of OxyCatch and MoistCatch packaging film solutions - oxygen and moisture absorbers that ensure quality product protection.
OxyCatch is a sophisticated and efficient packaging film solution that integrates a high-concentration of celium oxide-lineage oxygen absorber and activates without the involvement of water to help prevent product deterioration.
Used for pharmaceutical, cosmetics or food, OxyCatch works evenly throughout the package interior to absorb oxygen. The oxygen scavenging process is indicated by colour changes in the inner functional surface of the packaging film. The film colour starts out as a navy blue shade, indicating that the oxygen absorber is “active”. As more oxygen gets absorbed, the film changes colour until it reaches a grey tone, indicating that it is now “inactive”.
OxyCatch’s saturated absorption amount of oxygen is 600ml/m2 – far more effective than the desiccant used in conventional packaging, which tend to work only in the immediate area that it is located at in the package‘s interior. In addition, there is always a risk of the oxygen absorber bag getting damaged, dispersing iron powder and causing product contamination. Children may also accidentally swallow the oxygen absorber.
With OxyCatch, product safety is guaranteed as the four-layer packaging film has an interior PET sealant layer, preventing the oxygen absorption layer from coming into direct contact with the product.
As no iron powder is used in the OxyCatch film, the packaging does not react to metal detectors (unless the film composition includes aluminium). In addition, by using the OxyCatch packaging film, filling and inspection of oxygen absorber bags can be removed, simplifying the entire manufacturing process and improving efficiency.
OxyCatch is also available in aluminium blister packaging format for pharmaceutical products and fine electronic parts. As the packaging material has high flexibility, it is suitable for deep drawing processes.
MoistCatch
A similar packaging development by Kyodo Printing is MoistCatch - a highly functional packaging film developed by combining resin and desiccants for long-lasting moisture absorption and outgassing of products such as pharmaceuticals and electronic Components.
As with OxyCatch, the MoistCatch packaging film functions as the moisture absorbent, eliminating the need for desiccants. MoistCatch protects products by using the entire packaging surface to implement homogeneous and efficient moisture absorption, making the packaging solution ideal particularly for product packages with space limitations.
Risk of iron powder dispersion and production contamination is almost zero, as well as the risk of accidental swallowing of desiccant bags.
MoistCatch can be used in various packaging formats such as film and molded products. Additional processing techniques such as lamination, adhesive coating and heat sealing are possible. It can also be used in parallel with OxyCatch.
Kyodo Printing – one of the oldest printing and packaging companies in Japan - is currently exhibiting at Tokyo Pack 2012, Booth 2-59.
The largest, most innovative packaging exhibition in Asia, Tokyo Pack runs from 2nd to 5th October at Tokyo Big Sight.
