Better oxygen barriers for Amcor

Amcor (Packaging) Australia has entered into an Oxbar patent licence agreement with Constar International, under which Amcor will be able to supply its Australian and New Zealand customers with PET (polyethylene terephthalate) bottles that have enhanced oxygen-scavenger protection.

Bottles with the oxygen-scavenger enhancements will protect oxygen-sensitive products including wine, beer, fruit-based beverages and foods in PET containers. Flavour, colour and vitamin retention are among the benefits.

The initial application will be for packaging wine.

For sensitive products, such as beer, juices and flavoured alcoholic beverages, oxygen ingress into the package can cause product degradation. Oxbar, incorporated into the package, consumes virtually all oxygen that tries to enter the package through the PET walls, so that the product is protected. This extends the shelf life of the package.

Oxbar is unlike passive barrier systems that partially lose their capability as temperature rises. It is an active, dynamic material that automatically re-balances to match changes in temperature. That means packages are assured consistent protection, even if the distribution system imposes widely variable thermal and handling conditions.