Polyolefin properties for rigid food packaging

Polyolefins are used in many rigid plastic packages that are developed for food applications. Generally, the polyolefins used are selected for a balance of cost, ease of molding, and performance properties in a finished package. In this paper some of the physical and sorption properties of polyolefins that are critical to rigid plastic packages are discussed. Initially, a brief review of the performance requirements of plastic food packages will be presented. This is followed by discussions of specific properties of polyolefins such as impact resistance, adhesion and thermal resistance, and how they may be enhanced by coextrusion. Additionally, the sorption of food components such as flavors into polyolefin walls of packages is discussed. Here, the applicable theoretical considerations for sorption and their value for analyzing experimental data are presented. Finally, specific sorption properties of d‐limonene in ethylene‐propylene copolymers and their effects on package performance and design are reported and discussed.