Flexible pouches are multilayer film packaging structures composed of several different types of material sealed together by laminating adhesives or heat seal coatings. They are the most common application for flexible packaging and have rapidly grown in popularity for their cost and sustainability advantages.
Flexible pouches offer better waste reduction than other types of packaging because they require less material. They also provide greater functionality within the food and beverage packaging industry by allowing many different types of food to be packaged while occupying less space. The material and adhesive requirements of each pouch vary based on the packaging contents.
Hot-Fill and Retort Pouch Applications
Traditionally, foods and beverages that require sterilization before packaging have been packaged in glass jars or metal cans, which are heavy and bulky. Many food and beverage items can be sterilized quicker using flexible pouches due to the thin laminate structure of the pouch via retort sterilization. These retort pouches may be steam sterilized before or after filling and sealing to prolong product shelf life. Shelf life may also be extended using hot fill pouches. In this instance, food and beverages that are still boiling hot from sterilization are poured into the hot fill pouch and then sealed.
For either retort or hot fill, the flexible pouch and the adhesives and coatings used to seal the layers that construct the pouch must be able to withstand extreme temperatures and, in some cases, exposure to acids. Therefore, it is important to use adhesives and heat seal coatings designed to perform well under high-heat conditions.
Retortable Laminating Adhesives and Heat Seal Coatings for Hot Fill and Retort Pouches
Dow's laminating adhesives and heat seal coatings are available in various grades that offer the heat and moisture resistance needed for hot fill and retort pouch laminations. The hot fill and retortable adhesives and coatings listed below conform to FDA 21 CFR 177.1395 and 177.1390 and provide the durable bonds necessary for keeping pouch layers sealed during retort sterilization and hot filling.
Dow's ADCOTE™ line of laminating adhesives offers high green bond strength, which refers to the peel strength of the bond immediately after lamination or heat sealing. This high green bond strength provided by ADCOTE™ in retort and hot fill pouch laminations improves manufacturing efficiency by enabling faster next-step processing.
While it does not provide green bond strength as high as the ADCOTE™ adhesives listed, MOR-FREE™ 1390A is also offered here as a solventless laminating adhesive option for hot fill and retort applications.
Summary
By using Dow's laminating adhesives and heat seal coatings designed for retort and hot fill pouches, converters and brand owners can be assured that their laminates will maintain good quality while their pouches withstand the harsh environments associated with retort and high-temperature fills. We can help provide troubleshooting, drawdown, and pilot-scale services with your films and foils to ensure your application succeeds. We are happy to discuss how Dow's laminating adhesives and heat seal coatings can help boost the efficiency and performance of your packaging. Contact us below to talk with one of our adhesive specialists about your retort or hot fill application.
