Protection against mineral oil

Propafilm RCU is the result of investigations into the mineral oil hydrocarbon (MOH) and mineral oil aromatic hydrocarbon (MOAH) barrier protection of Innovia’s films.

This work began after research carried out in Switzerland found that foods were being contaminated by the migration of mineral oil from paper-board packaging. Further studies by the Food Standards Agency showed that safe levels were frequently exceeded in food packaging.

Traces of mineral oil residues in food are thought to arise due to their migration from the printing inks present both on the packaging surface and in recycled newspapers, used in the production of cardboard packaging.

Even at room temperature these residues can migrate and be deposited on dried foods packaged in the box, such as pasta, rice, breakfast cereals and biscuits. MOAHs are suspected of being carcinogens.

Innovia Films’s research proved that its proprietary acrylic coated film provides an effective barrier to mineral oil migration. Further analysis identified the optimum coat weight of acrylic required to maximise the barrier protection.

Contact: Innovia Films​