What are the limitations of the application of BOPP thermal synthetic paper in food packaging?

The application of BOPP thermal synthetic paper in food packaging does have some limitations, which mainly come from many aspects such as material characteristics, food safety regulations and practical application requirements. Here's a breakdown of these limitations:

First, limitation of material characteristics

1.Thermal properties: BOPP thermal synthetic paper has the characteristics of thermal printing, which means that under certain temperature conditions, the coating on the surface of the paper will react with the thermal printing head after contact, resulting in color. However, this thermal reaction can become unstable under high temperatures or prolonged exposure to heat sources, causing the printed content to fade or blur, thus affecting the information transmission and traceability of food packaging.

2.Barrier performance: Although the BOPP film itself has good moisture resistance, the performance of thermal sensitive synthetic paper in blocking oil and gas (such as oxygen) may be relatively weak. This can be a limiting factor for foods that need to be stored for a long time or are easily oxidized.

3.Thermal sealing performance: The thermal sealing performance of BOPP thermal sensitive synthetic paper may not be as good as that of BOPP films specifically designed for thermal sealing. The heat sealing performance directly affects the sealing and fresh-keeping effect of the package.

Second, limitation of food safety regulations

1.Migration restrictions: According to food safety regulations, packaging materials that come into direct contact with food may not transfer harmful substances to food. The additives, inks and other chemicals that may be used in the production process of BOPP thermal synthetic paper need to meet the relevant regulatory requirements to ensure that there is no contamination of food.

2.Label requirements: The label information on the food package must be clear, durable, and not easy to fall off. The printed content on BOPP thermal synthetic paper may change over a long period of time or under specific circumstances, which may result in label information not meeting regulatory requirements.

Third, limitation of practical application requirements

1.Transparency requirements: Some food packaging requires a high level of transparency so that consumers can observe the state of the food inside. Although the BOPP film itself has a high transparency, the heat-sensitive synthetic paper may affect its transparency performance after printing.

2.Cost considerations: BOPP thermal synthetic paper may be high in cost relative to other traditional packaging materials, which may limit its application in some low-cost food packaging.

3.Recyclability: With the increase of environmental awareness, the recyclability of packaging materials has become an important consideration. BOPP thermosensitive synthetic paper may not be as recyclable as some other packaging materials, which may limit its use in some environmentally conscious food packaging.

In summary, the application of BOPP thermal synthetic paper in food packaging is limited by many aspects such as material characteristics, food safety regulations and practical application requirements. Therefore, it is necessary to comprehensively consider the selection of packaging materials according to the specific application scenarios and requirements.