Introduction to Lidding Films: Functions and Applications

Below, we’re going to go deeper into the issue to explore what are lidding films, their types, and how they can be used.

23:04 01 August 2023

Although rigid containers for food packing feature high durability and protective properties, they are still not 100% protected from unexpected damage. The addition of another layer helps improve protective properties and secure containers from external influences.

Lidding films come as a highly effective solution to this case. Below, we’re going to go deeper into the issue to explore what are lidding films, their types, and how they can be used.

The Concept of Lidding Films

Lidding films are thin laminated covers that are used as an additional layer for improving wrapper barrier characteristics. It is a variation of flexible packs. Taking into account the type of sealing and the ease of opening, they distinguish between two types of wrappers, namely, easy-peel and lock-tight. The first group is perfect for snacks and other products that require eating on the run or opening without special tools. The second class of covers provides a high level of protection from external impacts due to tight locking.

Pros of Lidding Covers

Lidding film food packaging has the following benefits:

1. High barrier characteristics and food protection from environmental influences and pollution.
2. A wide range of options for choosing a suitable solution for each type of product (resealable, transparent, peeling, thick, etc.).
3. Cost-effectiveness. If compared to other types of wrappers, lidding covers are more economical.
4. Eco-friendliness. Less plastic is used during the film manufacturing process. Besides, wrappers are recyclable.

Materials for Lidding Film Manufacturing

In most cases, such covers are produced from PP (polypropylene) or PE (polyethylene). They are combined with PET (Polyethylene terephthalate) to achieve the required barrier properties. Another option also includes the combination of EVOH with PE to achieve the best barrier for water vapour and gas permeability. Such solutions are chosen for perishable products.

Scope of Application

Due to the specifics of sealing and physical properties, such films are used to pack the following products:

• dairy and desserts;
• sliced cheese;
• cuts of meat;
• canned soups;
• seafood and fish;
• meat products;
• microwave dinners.

Lidding films are popular for sealing containers with cottage cheese, yogurts, or sour cream. They serve as a convenient tool to seal paperboard pints, plastic containers, and trays. Generally, their main purposes include extending the shelf life of food and contamination prevention. They are perfect for preventing food from all sorts of pollutants and debris from the atmosphere.

When tampering with a tray lidding film, this feature signals that the product is not safe for consumption since the package integrity is damaged, which increases the risk of food spoilage. Thus, check the integrity of the wrapper when choosing a product on store shelves.

Types of Lidding Covers

The modern industry distinguishes multiple types of films. Here are the main ones:

1. Anti-Fog wrappers. This type of cover prevents the accumulation of moisture inside the packaging.
2. High-Oxygen packaging. Such covers are used to pack food using Modified Atmosphere Technology. In this case, a high concentration of oxygen gases is required.
3. Resealable covers. A resealable lidding film implies that customers can re-open and reclose it multiple times after tampering with the container.
4. Freezable wrappers. They perfectly withstand ultra-low temperatures. Thus, they are used to store frozen products.

There are also chillable (for refrigerator-stored food), ovenable (for heating in ovens), and self-venting (for allowing steam to escape the container when food is heated) wrappers. Thus, each enterprise or plant can select a suitable solution, taking into account the type of manufactured product and the required storage conditions.

Lidding Film Sustainability: Is It Green?

As we’ve already mentioned above, fewer raw materials (plastics) are used for the production of lidding wrappers, meaning that they have a lower footprint on the Earth. Another feature is their recyclability, which acts in favor of eco-friendly trends. Thus, a heat seal lidding film has the following advantages of green trends:

• reduced consumption of raw materials;
• high recyclability properties;
• lower footprint;
• advanced features for reusability.

Lidding films come as a good alternative to other kinds of food covers. They allow for storing different types of food durably and with strict compliance with storage conditions while being highly eco-friendly and suitable for recycling.

How to Understand that Business Requires Lidding Films?

Let’s answer a series of questions to understand whether this type of cover is needed for your business.

1. Does your product need additional protection when being packed?
2. Do your customers pay due attention to wrapper sustainability?
3. Should your packaging be resistant to ultra-high or ultra-low temperatures?
4. Do you use Modified Atmosphere for packing your products?

If you answered “yes” to at least one of these questions, then lidding films are the right option for your products. This kind of wrapper will satisfy all requirements of your products and ensure a high level of protection of food.

Lidding films are durable and sustainable solutions for packing modern products. It is a variation of flexible packaging, which comes in a great variety of shapes and types. Thus, each business can choose a suitable option to pack its products. Lidding films are equally suitable for hot, chilled, or frozen food.