The food packaging industry provides indispensable barrier protection and containment for nourishment. Petrochemical-derived plastics offer tailored durability, chemical resistance and gas permeability properties to suit various products. PET and polypropylene resist degradation from hot fill liquids. Polystyrene insulates temperature-sensitive goods. Polyethylene films provide low-cost, chemically inert packaging to minimize contamination. Additives enhance package integrity and shelf life. The transition from natural materials to specially engineered synthetics enables the reliable, mass distribution of foods globally. Packaging must also uphold strict safety standards, where petrochemical migration into food is rigorously controlled. By leveraging polymeric materials, the industry balances functionality, cost-effectiveness and responsibility.
Some plastic resins used as food packaging include:
- Polyethylene
terephthalate (PET) – used for bottled beverages, jars for spreads,
clamshell takeout boxes. Provides barrier against gas/moisture. - Polypropylene
(PP) – used for yogurt cups, margarine tubs, microwavable meals. Heat
resistant allowing hot fill liquids. - Polystyrene
(PS) – clear rigid/foam packaging for meat trays, eggs, cups, plates and
cutlery. Provides insulation. - Polyvinyl
chloride (PVC) – cling wraps, blister packages, bottles containing edible
oils. Excellent oxygen/chemical barrier. - Polyethylene
(PE) – plastic bags, sachets, films. Chemically inert offering low
contamination risk. - Other
materials include adhesives, plasticizers, colorants, preservatives that migration
from packaging into food must be tightly controlled.