Material Barrier Properties Data Sheet

OTR and WVTR reference values for the films we laminate — so you can spec barrier by numbers, not adjectives.

Technical representation of material barrier characteristics

The Short Version

When you ask 'will this keep my product fresh for 12 months?', this table is where the answer starts. Compare oxygen and water vapor transmission rates across transparent, metallized, PVDC-coated, and foil layers before you commit to a structure.

Ryan WongBY RYAN WONG, ECO PACKAGING PROTOCOL
VERIFIED BY ACHIEVE PACK SUSTAINABILITY LAB
B2B Specification Filters

Flexible Packaging Material Barrier Properties Data Sheet | Achieve Pack Specifications

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Enterprise Packaging Performance

Solving Core Packaging Challenges for Flexible Packaging Material Barrier Properties Data Sheet | Achieve Pack

Concise B2B technical benchmarks designed to eliminate transit failures, regulatory penalties, and shelf-life loss.

CHALLENGE 01

Structure Approved Before It Is Ever Tested

Risk: The laminate looks right on paper and fails on your actual product, wasting the run.

Engineer Solution

Sample Packs in the Exact Structure, Tested With Your Product

You run your own fill and shelf-life test before any tooling is cut.

CHALLENGE 02

Barrier Numbers Missing From the Quote

Risk: You approve a film without knowing its oxygen or moisture transmission rate, then find out on shelf.

Engineer Solution

OTR and WVTR Stated on Every Quotation

The barrier figure is on the quote, not buried in a datasheet you never see.

CHALLENGE 03

Sustainability Claim Without a Certificate Behind It

Risk: An unsubstantiated compostable or recycled claim fails retailer and marketplace review.

Engineer Solution

Certificate Numbers Issued With the Quote

TÜV OK Compost HOME, BPI, EN 13432, AS 5810, GRS — referenced by certificate number.

Experience 3D Packaging Design & Free Dielines

Preview your pouch in 3D WebGL Studio and export production-ready dielines.

Understanding Barrier Metrics

O₂ Transmission Rate (O₂ TR)

Oxygen barrier performance.

Unit: cc/m² · 24hrs · atm (at 23°C, 0% RH)

*Lower values indicate better oxygen barrier

Water Vapor Trans. Rate (WVTR)

Moisture barrier performance.

Unit: g/m² · 24hrs (at 38°C, 90% RH)

*Lower values indicate better moisture barrier

Honest limits — how to read this sheet

  • • NOT specification guarantees: these are typical industry averages. Your actual laminate's values depend on film lot, adhesive, and thickness — request a COA for your exact structure.
  • • NOT compostable-film data: this sheet covers conventional films. Compostable high-barrier laminates reach roughly 70% of foil-level performance at best.
  • • NOT a shelf-life predictor on its own: real shelf life also depends on seal integrity, fill conditions, and storage temperature. Validate with your product, not just the table.

Test before you commit: the $40+ sample kit is credited toward your first order, or contact our engineers with your product details.

Barrier Properties by Material

Values presented below are typical industry averages and may vary slightly based on specific film manufacturer, thickness tolerances, and exact environmental conditions during testing.

MaterialO₂ TR
cc/m² 24hrs 23°C, 0% RH
WVTR
g/m² 24hrs 38°C, 90% RH
OPP 2019006
OPP 3018005.8
OPP 4017005.5
PET 128555
NY 1545260
CPP 2020006
CPP 3018005.5
CPP 4017005
VMCPP 25251
VMPET 1222
AL 711.4
MaterialO₂ TR
cc/m² 24hrs 23°C, 0% RH
WVTR
g/m² 24hrs 38°C, 90% RH
AL 911.1
LLDPE 40500018
KOP 21104
KNY 17812
KPET 12812
PEARL 3022009
MAT OPP 2019006

Key Insights & Abbreviations

  • Standard Transparent Films (PET / NY / OPP) PET and NY offer significantly better oxygen barrier out-of-the-box compared to standard OPP.
  • Metallized Films (VMCPP / VMPET) Vacuum Metallized films vastly improve both moisture and oxygen barriers simultaneously, turning transparent films into high-barrier competitive options.
  • Aluminum Foil (AL) The absolute highest barrier available against oxygen and moisture, effectively reducing both transmission values down to ~1. Cannot be seen through.
  • PVDC Coated (KOP, KNY, KPET) The "K" prefix denotes PVDC (Polyvinylidene chloride) coating, which dramatically seals the barrier properties of standard transparent films while retaining full clarity.
FACTORY PROOF & LAB VALIDATION

Technical Factory Validation & Quality Control

We don't just supply pouches; we validate every batch. Every raw material and finished pouch runs through our 6-step testing protocol to guarantee automatic packaging line compatibility and food-safe barrier preservation.

ASTM TESTED

OTR & WVTR Barrier (MOCON)

< 0.1 cc / < 0.1 g/m²/24h

Tested under ASTM D3985 & ASTM F1249 to ensure fresh shelf life up to 18 months.

ASTM TESTED

GC-MS Solvent Residue

< 5 mg/m²

Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry ensures zero odor transfer and absolute food safety.

ASTM TESTED

Heat Seal Strength (ASTM F88)

> 15 N / 15mm Width

Guarantees no seam burst under high pressure, perfect for VFFS automatic packing lines.

ISO / BRCGS

BRCGS Global Standard

Grade AA Certified Factory

Produced in Class 100,000 dust-free cleanrooms, ensuring zero contamination.

ASTM TESTED

Puncture Resistance (ASTM F1306)

> 12 N Peak Force

Prevents tear or puncture from sharp, hard items like coffee beans and pet kibble.

ASTM TESTED

Tensile Strength (ASTM D882)

MD > 35 MPa / TD > 30 MPa

Ensures shape retention and structural integrity when heavy bags are dropped or stacked.

Packaging Performance Case Study

Packaging Transformation for Flexible Packaging Material Barrier Properties Data Sheet | Achieve Pack

See how upgrading from generic commoditized bags to precision-engineered flexible barrier packaging eliminates transport failures and boosts shelf authority.

BEFOREGeneric Packaging

Standard / Generic Packaging (Before)

Standard stock bags fail under transit stress and expose sensitive goods to moisture, UV light, and oxygen.

Before packaging failure
High Risk / Compromised
  • Rapid Oxidation & Flavor DegradationCheap films allow O2 & moisture ingress, spoiling contents in < 30 days.
  • High Seal Breakage in TransitThin seams fail under drop tests, leading to customer refunds & lost trust.
  • Heavy Plastic Tax PenaltiesMulti-layer unrecyclable packaging incurs up to €800/ton in EU PPWR fines.
  • High MOQs & Plate Cost FrictionTraditional printers force 10,000+ unit minimums and $1,500 cylinder fees.
Result: Customer Churn & High Damage Rates
AFTEREngineered Barrier Solution

Achieve Pack / Pouch Eco Solution (After)

Custom engineered multi-layer pouch structure tailored to your exact moisture barrier, seal strength, and aesthetic requirements.

After precision packaging solution
100% Quality Guaranteed
  • Ultra High-Barrier Foil/EVOH CoreGuaranteed OTR < 0.1 cc/m²/day, keeping contents fresh for 18–24 months.
  • Reinforced 45N/15mm Localized Heat Seal180°C precision seam dwell time prevents bursting even under 2-meter drops.
  • 100% Certified Eco ComplianceTÜV OK Compost HOME (EN13432) & Mono-PE Recyclable structures (0% Tax).
  • HD Digital Printing with 500-Unit Low MOQsPrint multi-SKU runs in 7 business days with zero setup plate charges.
Result: Zero transit leaks & premium brand retentionUpgrade Now

Questions We Get Asked

What does WVTR stand for?▼
Water Vapor Transmission Rate. It measures how much moisture can pass through the material over a 24-hour period. Lower numbers mean a better moisture barrier.
What does O2 TR stand for?▼
Oxygen Transmission Rate. It measures how much oxygen passes through the material over 24 hours. A lower number indicates a stronger oxygen barrier, crucial for keeping food fresh.
Which material provides the absolute highest barrier?▼
Aluminum Foil (AL 7 or AL 9) provides the best overall barrier against both oxygen and moisture, reducing transmission rates to near zero (~1).
Can I have a high barrier but remain transparent?▼
Yes! Materials treated with PVDC (like KOP, KNY, KPET) or Aluminum Oxide (AlOx) coatings offer very strong barriers while keeping the film completely see-through.

Related Stuff

E-E-A-T Research & Materials Verification

How We Ensure Absolute Accuracy and Trustworthiness

At Achieve Pack, sustainable packaging isn't just about printing; it's about hands-on material science. This article has been written and verified by Ryan Wong, a packaging specialist with 14+ years of experience engineering biopolymer stacks for DTC startups and Fortune 500 companies.

All research, material barrier specifications (OTR, WVTR), heat-seal values (N/15mm), and compostability timelines cited in our guides are backed by testing inside the Achieve Pack Materials Testing Lab. We cross-reference our data with official certification registries from BPI (Biodegradable Products Institute), TÜV Austria (OK Compost HOME), and FSC (Forest Stewardship Council).

TÜV OK Compost HOMEBPI Certification #10529618ASTM D6400 / EN 13432HP Indigo Digital Certified
Ryan Wong

Ryan Wong

Supply Chain Director

B.Eng honors degree graduate from Hong Kong Polytechnic University. Serving brands in 8 countries.

View Expert Profile →

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  • Captures CO2 during plant growth
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  • 100% recyclable mono-polymer structure
  • Meets EU Circular Economy directives
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