Oxygen Transmission Rate (OTR) Testing for Breathable Packaging

When packaging oxygen-sensitive food products, such as produce meat, maintaining the product’s freshness and shelf life is of high concern. The atmospheric conditions inside of a package contribute directly to the success or failure of preserving perishable goods. Modifying the internal environment of the package, such as the levels of moisture, oxygen, and carbon dioxide, will slow down the naturally occurring deterioration process, preserving the product’s fresh state for a longer period of time.

While there are several different methods for controlling this exchange of gases, using laser micro-perforating as a breathable packaging production solution will deliver the precise oxygen transmission rate required for each individual product.

Measuring OTR

The oxygen transmission rate (OTR) is a calculated measurement of the amount of oxygen gas that, over a given period of time at a steady rate, passes through a substrate.  Oxygen transmission rates are expressed in cc/m²/24 hours (cc/100in²/24 hours), and are used to give value to the oxygen barrier capabilities of a flexible packaging film. A film that is considered to have a high barrier has an oxygen transmission rate range of approximately 1-10 cc/m²/24 hours. A moderate transmitter film will have a rate of approximately 1,000 cc/m²/24 hours, and a high transmitter film will have an oxygen transmission rate of approximately 10,000 cc/m²/24 hours.

OTR Testing Process

The OTR testing process at Labthink Instruments Company is based on ASTM D3985 — Standard Test Method for Oxygen Gas Transmission Rate throuhg Plastic Film and Sheeting using a Coulometric Sensor.  Using an PERME 230 Oxygen Transmission Rate Test System, nitrogen is flushed through a chamber where the film sample has been placed. The film in the chamber separates the nitrogen on one side from the oxygen on the other side. Oxygen molecules move through the film to the low pressure side, with the film barrier determining the rate of the oxygen transmission

Labthink Instruments has experience in the development, testing, and laser converting of breathable packaging for a wide variety of products. From achieving extremely high oxygen transmission rates of 10,000 for the fish industry, to very low rates of 300 for apples, Labthink Instruments is prepared to help you find just the right pattern and size combination to achieve the exact rate for your product

Whether you have a question regarding the OTR testing process, or if you’ve already identified an OTR that you wish to achieve, contact Labthink Instruments Company to find out how our OTR testing and laser micro-perforating services will benefit you, your product, and your customer.