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Packaging

Aseptic Packaging

By P. V. Narayanan

he advent of Aseptic Packaging process rapidly heats and cools the PACKAGING MEDIA

has enabled the adoption of product before filling. The process The aseptic packaging media is
Tmodern technology replacing also ensures a minimum amount a combined structure generally
traditional canning techniques such of thermal stress on the product known as a laminate consisting of
as retort and hot fi lling canning ensuring safety. Three major factors high-quality food grade paperboard,
and use of preservatives and come into play viz the material, aluminium foil and polyethylene.
refrigeration. A major advantage is the product and the fi lling/packing Each of this substrate contributes
room temperature shelf stability and atmosphere. The material is pre- their known specifi c property-

achieved through filling a sterilised treated or sterilised so also the functional, thereby enabling to

package with a sterile product under product pre-sterilised. Both enter achieve a unique benefit of the
a controlled hygienic atmosphere. into pack forming cum product aseptic packaging. Paper board
By and large aseptic packaging is filling and completion of the fi lled offers substance, dead fold, and

used for liquid products like milk and closed pack in an environment stiffness beside print acceptance- a
and juices. The process essentially of total hygiene. It is these process resultant brick shape (rectangular).
involves sterilisation of the liquid parameters that provide a high shelf Polyethylene is the innermost layer
food externally outside the package life even without refrigeration or in contact with the product and is
by ultra-high temperature. The preservative. the sealant medium providing a
leak-proof pack. Aluminium foil is
the barrier against oxygen (gases),
moisture and light. A protective
coating or polyliner is provided on
the exterior surface that enables the
pack dry and /or adds to resistance to
enviro exposure. The essential barrier
is provided by the foil. The aseptic
system is relatively expensive but
considering convenience, savings
in refrigeration, no preservative, etc.

the add-on benefits only justify the
added cost.
EXTENDED DEVELOPMENT
An extended technology was also
attempted in the form of Aseptic
pouch packaging to make the system
more affordable to the consumer. The
material combination was polymer
substrates with aluminium foil but
has not taken off considering cost
affordability and value proposition
THE ASEPTIC SYSTEM IS RELATIVELY EXPENSIVE BUT effective.
CONSIDERING CONVENIENCE, SAVINGS IN REFRIGERATION,
NO PRESERVATIVE, ETC. THE ADD-ON BENEFITS ONLY BENEFIT ANALYSIS
The aseptic pack being portable,
JUSTIFY THE ADDED COST.
lightweight and not fragile provides
a high degree of convenience. It is

Food Marketing & Technology 52 February 2020