HPP Packaging
In-Pack High Pressure Processing (HPP) is applied to pre-packaged food products, thus the properties and design of the packaging are important considerations. Food packaging for conventional HPP is mostly limited to plastic polymers such as PET, PP, PE, PA or EVOH (alone or combined in different layers). Environmentally friendlier alternatives such as recycled PET or PLA are also suitable.
Flexibility and elasticity are the most important characteristics for HPP packaging as it should withstand compression under high pressure and recover its original shape upon pressure release. Packaging materials should also be water-resistant.
One of the biggest advantages of HPP is that pressure is transmitted uniformly and instantaneously throughout the equipment vessel and product, allowing to process foods regardless of their shape or size. However, packaging geometry does affect the filling ratio of HPP units, which directly influences throughput.
Overall, minimizing headspace reduces the likelihood of packaging failure. Gas is more compressible than solids or liquids and occupies a much smaller volume under pressure. Upon expansion, gas molecules expand more violently and packaging is more susceptible to fail.
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Flexible
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Water - resistant
PACKAGING FORMATS
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BOTTLES
- PET is the most suitable material for bottles, whereas HDPE is preferred for caps. Blow-molded bottles perform better with HPP.
- Rounded corners provide shoulder rigidity and less strain when compared to pointy/edgy corners.
- Crown-shaped base provides rigidity and structural support for carbonated drinks.
- Caps with inner plug/embossment are preferred as the inner lip prevents fluid exchange during high pressure.
- Liner seals in the cap are not desired as they may lead to leakage if cap and liner materials compress at different rates.
- Foil closures must be validated. The cap should be placed after HPP to avoid mechanical stress from air trapped in void space.
- Dispenser caps can be used if the bottle opening is covered with a suitable foil closure and the cap is placed after HPP.
- Minimizing the headspace reduces undesired chemical/enzymatic reactions and prevents bottle wall collapse (paneling).
TUBS AND TRAYS
- Round or squared tubs are used in a wide range of HPP applications: guacamole, salsas, spreads, dips, wet salads, fruit chunks submerged in juice, baby food, fruit purees, pet food...
- Trays are the perfect solution for Ready-To-Eat (RTE) meals, deli meats, cured and fermented sliced meats, fish, seafood...
- A plastic film is heat-sealed to cover the opening of tubs before HPP. The container lid is placed after HPP.
- Rigid or semi-rigid containers with a flexible closure film are recommended to allow pressure transmission. Wide sealing areas (≥5 mm/0.19 in) reduce closing film strain, ensure adequate heat sealing, and slow down oxygen migration through the seal.
- Rounded corners increase the rigidity of the base and side walls, and reduces the likelihood of puncturing the closing film of adjacent tubs and trays during HPP or further handling.
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DIFFERENT TUBS AND TRAYS FORMATS
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Modified Atmosphere Packaging (MAP)
MAP is compatible with HPP as shown by many commercial examples. However, gas expansion upon decompression increases the likelihood of package delamination and visual defects in the food.
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Vacuum packaging
Vacuum packaging minimizes headspace and increases throughput. Visual appearance is improved because removing residual air delays chemical and enzymatic oxidations.
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Skin packaging
Vacuum skin packaging is the preferred option for RTE meals because it minimizes residual air in the package and improves the visual appearance of creative meal preparations.
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BAGS AND POUCHES
- Vacuum bags can be used for a wide range of applications: guacamole, avocado and other fruit pulps, sliced meat and meat blocks, sausages…
- Pouches are very versatile and a handy solution for soups, wet salads, salsas, baby food, fruit juice and fruit purees, pet food...
- Bags and pouches maximize throughput since they minimize void space between packaged food units.
- Multilayered materials are compatible and often preferred since they provide an additional oxygen barrier.
- Heat sealing must be optimized (≥5 mm/0.19 in) to ensure that bags withstand compression and decompression.
- Multicomponent bags (bag-in-box) and pouches with rigid fittings (spout, screw caps, valves, etc.) are also suitable for HPP, but prior validation of the design is encouraged.
Innovative solutions
Hiperbaric Bulk Technology
A global innovation for large production of HPP beverages.in which liquids are processed in bulk, before bottling, allowing the usage of any kind of packaging, including carton or glass.
HPP Kegs
Petainer and Hiperbaric have partnered together to create the world’s first keg for HPP beverages. A solution for retailers and food-service companies, especially juice bars to offer consumers the possibility to serve HPP juices directly from a tap.
Sustainable materials
There are some innovative companies offering alternative packaging solutions to traditional PET packaging. Thanks to these developments, some of our clients are already able to offer their HPP products packaged with in rPET, PLA and biodegradable solutions.
HPP Innovation Week packaging sessions
Basic Principles of HPP Packaging
Packaging is one of the key factors in having a successful HPP product. The benefits of HPP would not be possible without the perfect HPP packaging concepts. In this session, you will learn more about the basic HPP packaging concepts, the different types of compatible packaging, and sealing best practices.
Read more >How to ensure your packaging works
Join our Application Team virtually at Hiperbaric's Pilot Plant located in our headquarters in Burgos, Spain, where we will share some practical tricks and trials to validate HPP packaging for bottles and cups.
Read more >MAP and skin packaging for seafood and RTE products under HPP
Discover the best practices for MAP and skin packaging for HPP products. While skin packaging is one of the most recommendable packaging for HPP products, MAP is another option that has more aspects to be taken into account. Don't miss all the details explained by an HPP packaging expert
Read more >Exploring Sustainable Packaging for HPP Food Products
Explore sustainable packaging options that are compatible with HPP food products. Listen to packaging suppliers providing HPP compostable packaging for food products.
Read more >Exploring Sustainable Packaging for HPP Beverage Products
Explore sustainable packaging options that are compatible with HPP beverage products and listen to the explanations given by packaging suppliers providing HPP biodegradable packaging solutions.
Read more >Petainer Kegs: The World’s First HPP Keg for Juices & Beverages
Petainer Keg is the world’s first commercial keg for HPP Beverages. This keg is revolutionizing how HPP beverages are packaged and is a breakthrough global innovation that offers beverage manufacturers safe, sustainable, and cost-efficient packaging. Petainer works with beverage customers in the non-alcoholic and alcoholic categories which include carbonated beverages, water products, juices, beer, cold brew coffee, kombucha, cider, wine, and spirits serving markets in the on and off-trade.
Read more >