Home
Barrier

Barrier and Protection: Guarantee the best product experience

High-quality packaging acts as an active shield for its contents. The right barrier preserves taste, texture, and freshness from the moment of packaging until the customer uses it. This guide will help you make an informed material choice based on three key factors.

PouchDirect shares essential knowledge for making a professional material choice, drawing on 15 years of experience in the European packaging market.

Assortment of various barrier stand-up pouches in different materials and colors for optimal product protection

100% Recyclable

Mono-material

All stand-up pouches

The three pillars of shelf life: Oxygen, Moisture, and Light

Most products maintain their quality by effectively blocking these three elements. Our stand-up pouches offer a suitable solution for each factor.

1. Oxygen Barrier (OTR)

Air causes oxidation. This process alters taste, natural color, and nutritional value. A strong oxygen barrier hermetically seals the product.

Result: You guarantee long-lasting freshness for high-fat products, nuts, and supplements.
The technology: The Oxygen Transmission Rate (OTR) indicates how much oxygen the film lets through. A low number signifies maximum protection.

2. Moisture Barrier (WVTR)

Moisture affects the structure of powders and the crispness of snacks. A good moisture barrier keeps the contents in the exact desired condition.

Result: Powders remain free-flowing, and granola retains its characteristic crunch.
The technology: We measure this using the Water Vapor Transmission Rate (WVTR). The lower the value, the drier the product stays.

3. Light and UV Protection

The retail environment is the deciding factor when choosing light protection. Standard store lighting has a minimal impact on most packaged goods. The need for a complete light block only arises with prolonged exposure to direct sunlight or for highly UV-sensitive ingredients.

Standard barrier: Sufficient for the vast majority of products on standard retail shelves.
Maximum protection: For products requiring complete darkness, materials with a METPET or aluminum layer offer the highest level of certainty.

Additional forms of protection

Odor and Aroma

A high-quality pouch keeps the desired aromas inside the packaging. The customer only experiences the full scent sensation upon opening. At the same time, the barrier blocks unwanted outside odors, which is essential for coffee and tea.

Grease Resistance and Durability

Products containing oils or fats require a material that prevents migration. Our grease-resistant materials guarantee a flawless exterior appearance. For sharp or heavy products, we offer extra puncture-resistant layers for maximum safety during transport.

Infographic on how barrier packaging works: a multilayer film blocks oxygen, moisture, and UV light for maximum shelf life

Sustainability and Legislation (PPWR)

Protection goes hand in hand with responsibility. Our most modern barriers consist of 100% recyclable mono-materials. This ensures immediate compliance with European PPWR legislation while maintaining maximum product quality. Every day, more than 10,000 customers rely on these innovative solutions.

Comparing Technical Specifications

The table below contains the exact data for all our materials. Use these values to make a well-founded packaging choice. Our specialists are happy to advise you based on your specific product.

Icons for sustainability and packaging regulations: 100% recyclable, BPA-free, and EU-compliant

Material Specifications Overview

Use the table below to compare the OTR, WVTR, and barrier properties of our films.

Legend
0 Non applicable | - Poor | + Fair | ++ Good | +++ Excellent

FOOD	MATERIALS	FEATURES	PROTECTION								REMARK
FOOD	MATERIALS	FEATURES	Total	Moisture	Oxy- gen	Light	Aroma	Oil	Strength	Trans- parency	REMARK
Coffee, tea	PET/MET-PET/PE	Shiny finish	++	++	++	++	++	++	++	0	Fresh roasted coffee needs a valve
	MATT BOPP/MET-PET/PE	Matt finish	++	++	++	++	++	++	++	0	Kraft look possible (plastic pouch)
	PET/AL/PE	Shiny finish, UV protection	+++	+++	+++	+++	+++	++	++	0	Protects against light
	PET/ALU/BOPA/CPP	Puncture resistant, high temp.	+++	+++	+++	+++	+++	++	+++	0
	MATT BOPP/ALU/PE	Matt finish, UV protection	+++	+++	+++	+++	+++	++	++	0	Protects against light
	MATT BOPP/ALU/PE	Matt finish, UV protection	+++	+++	+++	+++	+++	++	++	0	Black/white PE, from 30.000 pcs
	MATT BOPP/ALU/PE	Matt finish, UV protection	+++	+++	+++	+++	+++	++	++	0	Black/white PE, from 30.000 pcs
	PET/K-PET/PE	ALU-free, aroma protection	++	++	++	-	+++	++	+	0	Transparent
	K-PET/CPP	ALU-free, aroma protection	++	++	++	-	+++	++	+	+++	Crystal clear
	KRAFT/...	Paper look & feel									Surface print; max. 3 colours
	MATT BOPP/KRAFT/...	Perfect print on kraft									Excellent print quality, full colour
	PE/EVOH-PE	ALU-free, strong protection against oxygen and gas	++	++	++	-	++	++	++	0	100% recyclable
	BROWN KRAFT/BOPA/PE	Puncture resistant	++	++	+++	++	+++	++	+++	+++	Puncture resistant, ALU-free
	KRAFT/PLA	ALU-free, 100% industrially compostable	+	-	+	+	+	-	+	0	100% compostable
FOOD	MATERIALS	FEATURES	PROTECTION								REMARK
FOOD	MATERIALS	FEATURES	Total	Moisture	Oxy- gen	Light	Aroma	Oil	Strength	Trans- parency	REMARK
Protein powder, milk powder Pet food Dietary supplements (tablets, capsules) Cereals, nuts, snacks, popcorn Spices, herbs Dried fruit, candy, chocolate Bakery mix, pastry, confectionery, scrub salt	PET/MET-PET/PE	Shiny finish	++	++	++	++	++	++	+	0
	MATT BOPP/MET-PET/PE	Matt finish	++	++	++	++	++	++	+	0
	PET/AL/PE	Shiny finish, UV protection	+++	+++	+++	+++	+++	++	+	0	Protects against light
	MATT BOPP/ALU/PE	Matt finish, UV protection	+++	+++	+++	+++	+++	++	+	0	Protects against light
	PET/K-PET/PE	ALU-free, aroma protection	++	++	++	-	+++	++	+	0	Black/white PE, from 30.000 pcs
	.../PET/K-PET/PE + Metallocene	Oil resistant, aroma protection	+++	++	++	-	+++	+++	+	0	With kraft paper and strong adhesive
	K-PET/PE	ALU-free, aroma protection	++	++	++	-	+++	++	+	++	Transparent
	K-PET/CPP	ALU-free, aroma protection	++	++	++	-	+++	++	+	+++	Crystal clear
	PET/PE	Transparent	++	++	+	-	+	++	++	++	Transparent
	BOPA/PE	Puncture resistant, vacuum	++	+	+	-	++	++	+++	++	Heavy-duty bags
	BOPA/MET PET/PE	Puncture resistant	+++	++	+++	++	+++	++	+++	0	Heavy-duty bags
	KRAFT/...	Paper look & feel									Surface print; max. 3 colours
	MATT BOPP/KRAFT/...	Perfect print on kraft									Excellent print quality, full colour
	KRAFT/PE	Lightweight products	++	+	-	+	+	-	+	0
	PE/EVOH-PE	ALU-free, strong protection against oxygen and gas	++	++	++	-	++	++	++	0	100% recyclable
	Brown Kraft Paper/BOPA/PE	Puncture resistant / nylon (oxygen protection and impact strength)	++	++	+++	++	+++	++	+++	+++	Puncture resistant/ALU-free
	Kraft / PLA	ALU-free, 100% industrially compostable	+	-	+	+	+	-	+	0	100% compostable
FOOD	MATERIALS	FEATURES	PROTECTION								REMARK
FOOD	MATERIALS	FEATURES	Total	Moisture	Oxy- gen	Light	Aroma	Oil	Strength	Trans- parency	REMARK
Noodles/rice/pasta (dry) Superfoods, biscuits, snacks, chips Frozen products Cheese and dairy	PET/PE	Transparent	++	++	-	-	+	++	++	++	Transparent
	PET/CPP	Crystal clear	++	++	-	-	+	+	-	+++	Crystal clear
	PET/MET-PET/CPP	Shiny finish	++	++	++	++	+++	++	+	0	Dry food, chips
	BOPA/PE	Puncture resistant, low temp.	++	+	+	-	++	++	+++	++	Excellent low-temperature resistance
	PET/BOPA/PE	Heavy-duty products, vacuum	+++	++	++	-	++	++	++		Good low-temperature resistance
	MATT BOPP / BOPA / PE	For frozen products	+++								Good low-temperature resistance
	PET/PE	For frozen products	+
	BOPA/MET PET/PE	Low temp., puncture resistant	+++	++	+++	++	+++	++	+++	0	Frozen food, scented products
	MATT BOPP/MET PET/PE	A few months in freezer OK / not longer
FOOD	MATERIALS	FEATURES	PROTECTION								REMARK
FOOD	MATERIALS	FEATURES	Total	Moisture	Oxy- gen	Light	Aroma	Oil	Strength	Trans- parency	REMARK
Acidic products, lemon juice, sauces, soup, curry Retort, boil-in-bag, instant noodles Liquids/high moisture Alcohol	PET/ALU/BOPA/CPP	Puncture resistant, high temp.	+++	+++	+++	+++	+++	++	+++	0
	PET/ALU/PET/CPP	High chemical resistance	+++	+++	+++	+++	+++	++	+++	0
	PET/BOPA/RCPP	For high-temperature use	++	++	++	+	+++	++	+++	0	Soup, instant meals, max. 35° Celsius
	PET/AL/RCPP	For high-temperature use	+++	+++	+++	+++	+++	+++	++	0	Chemical and oil resistant, max. 35° Celsius
	PET/BOPA/AL/RCPP	For high-temperature use	+++	+++	+++	+++	+++	+++	+++	0	Retort, long shelf life
	BOPA/PE	Puncture resistant, vacuum	++	+	+	-	++	++	+++	0	Low-temperature resistant
	BOPA/ALU/PET/LLDPE	Light and aroma protection	+++	+++	+++	+++	+++	+++	+++	0	Liquid and frozen products
	PET/AL/BOPA/LLDPE + metallocene	For alcohol, puncture resistant	+++	+++	+++	+++	+++	+++	+++	0	With strong adhesive between each layer
NON-FOOD	MATERIALS	FEATURES	PROTECTION								REMARK
NON-FOOD	MATERIALS	FEATURES	Total	Moisture	Oxy- gen	Light	Aroma	Oil	Strength	Trans- parency	REMARK
Smoking products, tobacco, cannabis	PET/MET-PET/PE	Shiny finish	++	++	++	++	++	++	++	0
	MATT BOPP/MET-PET/PE	Matt finish	++	++	++	++	++	++	++	0
	PET/AL/PE	Shiny finish, UV protection	+++	+++	+++	+++	+++	++	++	0	Protects against light
	PET/ALU/BOPA/CPP	Puncture resistant, high temp.	+++	+++	+++	+++	+++	++	+++	0
	MATT BOPP/ALU/PE	Matt finish, UV protection	+++	+++	+++	+++	+++	++	++	0	Protects against light
	PET/K-PET/PE	ALU-free, aroma protection	++	++	++	-	+++	++	+	0	Black/white PE, from 30.000 pcs
	K-PET/PE	ALU-free, aroma protection	++	++	++	-	+++	++	+	++	Transparent
	K-PET/CPP	ALU-free, aroma protection	++	++	++	-	+++	++	+	+++	Crystal clear
	KRAFT/...	Paper look & feel									Surface print; max. 3 colours
	MATT BOPP/KRAFT/...	Perfect print on kraft									Excellent print quality, full colour
	Brown Kraft paper / BOPA / PE	Puncture resistant / nylon (oxygen protection and impact strength)	++	++	+++	++	+++	++	+++	+++	Puncture resistant / ALU-free
	PE/EVOH-PE	ALU-free, strong protection against oxygen and gas	++	++	++	-	++	++	++	0	100% recyclable
NON-FOOD	MATERIALS	FEATURES	PROTECTION								REMARK
NON-FOOD	MATERIALS	FEATURES	Total	Moisture	Oxy- gen	Light	Aroma	Oil	Strength	Trans- parency	REMARK
Potting soil Seeds Personal care, beauty, health Fashion, underwear, socks Industrial components Accessories Toys	PET/MET-PET/PE	Shiny finish	++	++	++	++	++	++	+	0
	MATT BOPP/MET-PET/PE	Matt finish	++	++	++	++	++	++	+	0
	PET/AL/PE	Shiny finish, UV protection	+++	+++	+++	+++	+++	++	+	0	Protects against light
	MATT BOPP/ALU/PE	Matt finish, UV protection	+++	+++	+++	+++	+++	++	+	0	Protects against light
	PET/PE	Transparent	++	++	+	-	+	++	++	++	Transparent
	BOPA/PE	Puncture resistant, vacuum	++	+	+	-	++	++	+++	++	Heavy-duty bags
	BOPA/MET PET/PE	Puncture resistant	++	++	+++	++	+++	++	+++	0	Heavy-duty bags
	KRAFT/...	Paper look & feel									Surface print; max. 3 colours
	MATT BOPP/KRAFT/...	Perfect print on kraft									Excellent print quality, full colour
	KRAFT/PE	Lightweight products	++	+	-	+	+	-	+	0
	PE/EVOH-PE	ALU-free, strong protection against oxygen and gas	++	++	++	-	++	++	++	0	100% recyclable
	Brown Kraft paper / BOPA / PE	Puncture resistant / nylon (oxygen protection and impact strength)	++	++	+++	++	+++	++	+++	+++	Puncture resistant / ALU-free
	Kraft / PLA	ALU-free, 100% industrially compostable	+	-	+	+	+	-	+	0	100% compostable
NON-FOOD	MATERIALS	FEATURES	PROTECTION								REMARK
NON-FOOD	MATERIALS	FEATURES	Total	Moisture	Oxy- gen	Light	Aroma	Oil	Strength	Trans- parency	REMARK
Laundry detergent, washing liquids Window cleaner Cleaning products	PET/ALU/BOPA/CPP	Puncture resistant, high chemical resistance	+++	+++	+++	+++	+++	++	+++	0
	PET/ALU/PET/CPP	High chemical resistance	+++	+++	+++	+++	+++	++	++	0

✔ Free shipping on orders over €500

✔ Ordered before 15:00? Shipped today

✔ Largest stock in Europe

Need expert advice?

Selecting the right material requires precision. Every day, our packaging specialists advise hundreds of brands on barrier levels, material choices, and regulatory compliance.

Frequently asked questions

FAQ

What do OTR and WVTR mean for stand-up pouches, and why are they important?

OTR stands for Oxygen Transmission Rate and WVTR for Water Vapor Transmission Rate. The lower these values, the better the protection. A low OTR prevents oxidation (changes in taste and color), which is essential for high-fat products and supplements. A low WVTR keeps moisture out, ensuring powders remain free-flowing and snacks keep their crunch.

When should I choose stand-up pouches with maximum light or UV protection?

For most products on a standard retail shelf, our standard barrier is perfectly fine, as normal store lighting has minimal impact. Maximum light protection is only necessary when your products are exposed to direct sunlight for extended periods, or if you use highly UV-sensitive ingredients. In those cases, materials with an aluminum or METPET layer offer the highest level of security.

Are high-barrier stand-up pouches eco-friendly and recyclable?

Yes, absolute product protection and sustainability go hand in hand. Our latest barrier packaging is made of 100% recyclable mono-material. This ensures maximum product freshness while immediately complying with the strict European PPWR regulations.

How do I prevent oil and grease from leaking through my packaging?

Products containing oils or fats require materials that prevent migration (grease bleeding). Our specially developed grease-resistant materials ensure that fats stay inside the pouch. This keeps the outside of the stand-up pouch looking clean and flawless on the shelf.

What is the best barrier packaging for preserving coffee and tea aroma?

For aroma-sensitive products like coffee and tea, a barrier with high aroma retention is essential. Our premium stand-up pouches seal the product hermetically, meaning the desired aromas are only released when the customer opens the package. At the same time, the film blocks unwanted external odors, keeping the flavor pure.

Which pouches are best for heavy products or items with sharp edges?

For sharp, hard, or heavy products, we offer stand-up pouches with extra puncture-resistant layers. These special layers increase the structural integrity and mechanical resistance of the pouch, offering maximum protection against tearing or puncturing during transport and handling.

Can I order pouch samples to test the barrier before buying in bulk?

Absolutely. Because every product is unique, we always recommend testing the material first. You can easily request free samples via our website. You can also compare the exact material specifications in our 'Material Specifications Overview' or contact our specialists for customized technical advice. Plain pouches are available from stock starting at just 100 pieces.