A
Accelerated aging
A test method (ASTM F1980) that stores sterile packaging at elevated temperature to predict real-time shelf life in a shorter period, used to support expiry-date claims.
36 terms · A–Z
Packaging glossaryA plain-language reference for 36 packaging terms — from thermoforming and MAP to sterile barrier systems and ISO 11607. Search, or jump straight to a letter.
A
A
Aluminium foil laminate
A multilayer material with an aluminium layer that provides an near-absolute barrier to moisture, oxygen and light — standard for pharmaceutical blister lidding and high-barrier pouches.
B
B
Barrier film
A film engineered to restrict the transmission of gases, moisture or aromas, characterised by its oxygen (OTR) and water-vapour (WVTR) transmission rates.
B
Blister packaging
A format in which a product sits in a pre-formed plastic cavity sealed to a lidding material (foil, film or board). Common in pharma and consumer goods for unit-dose dispensing and tamper evidence.
B
Burst testing
A package-integrity test (ASTM F1140/F2054) that inflates a package until the seal fails, measuring the pressure the weakest seal can withstand.
C
C
Clamshell
A hinged blister pack where the top and bottom halves are formed from the same sheet and fold together. Common in retail for tools and hardware.
C
Coextrusion
A process that combines multiple polymer layers into a single film in one step, letting each layer contribute a property such as barrier, strength or sealability.
C
Cold chain packaging
Packaging with thermal insulation and phase-change materials (PCM/VIP) that keeps temperature-sensitive products within a defined range during storage and transport.
D
D
Dye penetration test
A seal-leak test (ASTM F1929) in which a dye solution is applied to a seal; capillary movement of the dye reveals channels or defects.
E
E
EVOH
Ethylene vinyl alcohol — a polymer with an excellent oxygen barrier, used as a thin inner layer in coextruded barrier films.
F
F
Flexible packaging
Non-rigid packaging made from films, foils and laminates — pouches, bags and wraps — valued for low material use, printability and light weight.
F
Flow wrap
A horizontal form-fill-seal (HFFS) process that wraps a product in a continuous film tube with a longitudinal fin seal and two end seals. Also called flowpack.
F
Form-fill-seal (FFS)
An automated process that forms packaging from film, fills it with product and seals it in one continuous line. Exists as vertical (VFFS) and horizontal (HFFS) systems.
F
Forming film
The lower web in a thermoforming line that is heated and shaped into cavities to hold the product before the lidding film is sealed on top.
H
H
HFFS
Horizontal form-fill-seal — an FFS layout where product moves horizontally; the basis of flow-wrap and many tray/pouch lines.
H
Heat seal
A bond created by applying heat and pressure to fuse two thermoplastic surfaces, forming the primary closure in most flexible and thermoformed packaging.
I
I
ISO 11607
The international standard for packaging of terminally sterilized medical devices. Part 1 covers materials and sterile barrier systems; Part 2 covers process validation.
L
L
Lidding film
The upper web sealed onto a thermoformed or pre-made tray/blister to close it, often peelable and printed.
M
M
Microbial barrier
The ability of a packaging material to prevent the ingress of microorganisms, essential for maintaining sterility (tested per ASTM F1608).
M
Modified atmosphere packaging (MAP)
Replacing the air inside a sealed pack with a controlled gas mix (typically N₂, CO₂, O₂) to extend shelf life without preservatives.
O
O
Oxygen transmission rate (OTR)
The amount of oxygen that passes through a film per unit area and time — a key metric for barrier and shelf-life performance.
P
P
PETG
A glycol-modified PET copolyester with good clarity and formability, widely used for thermoformed trays, blisters and medical packaging.
P
Peelable seal
A seal designed to open cleanly by hand without tearing the material, giving controlled, aseptic access — important for medical and food packs.
S
S
Seal strength
The force required to separate a seal (ASTM F88), balancing package integrity against openability.
S
Sealing die
The tooling that applies heat and pressure in a defined pattern to create seals; its geometry determines seal width, strength and appearance.
S
Shelf life
The period a product remains fit for use in its packaging under defined storage conditions — validated through real-time and accelerated aging.
S
Shrink packaging
Wrapping a product in film that contracts around it when heated, consolidating or protecting single items or multipacks.
S
Skin packaging (VSP)
Vacuum skin packaging draws a heated top film tightly over a product on a rigid base, forming a second-skin vacuum pack that extends shelf life for fresh foods.
S
Sterile barrier system
The minimum packaging that maintains sterility of a medical device to the point of use — the core concept of ISO 11607.
S
Sustainable packaging
Packaging designed to reduce environmental impact through recyclable, recycled, bio-based or reduced materials while maintaining performance.
T
T
Thermoforming
Heating a plastic sheet to its forming temperature and shaping it against a mould under vacuum, pressure or plug assist to create trays, blisters and cavities.
T
Tray sealing
Applying a lidding film to a pre-formed tray with heat and pressure to create a sealed, often MAP or vacuum, pack.
T
Tyvek
A spunbonded high-density polyethylene material (DuPont) that provides a microbial barrier while allowing gas sterilisation — the standard porous web for sterile medical packaging.
V
V
VFFS
Vertical form-fill-seal — an FFS layout where film is formed into a vertical tube, filled from above and sealed; common for granular and bulk products.
V
Vacuum packaging
Removing air from a pack before sealing to slow oxidation and microbial growth and to reduce volume.
W
W
Water vapour transmission rate (WVTR)
The amount of water vapour passing through a film per unit area and time — a key metric for moisture-sensitive products.
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