Vacuum packing is a packaging process that creates a vacuum to remove the air before sealing, preventing the growth of micro-organisms like aerobic bacteria or fungi and also preventing the evaporation of volatile components.
The removal of air can be either done manually or automatically. This type of packaging is most commonly used for perishable products so that they can be stored for longer thus increasing the shelf life of the product. It is important to remember that this packing type is not an alternative for refrigeration or freezing. It is also used to seal non-perishable products as it helps to greatly reduce the bulk of the product like bedding or clothes.
Vacuum packing, also referred to as skin packaging is also used in electronics, mechanical, medical, and financial industries as it enables the protection of valuable, fragile products.
Vacuum Packing Advantages
- Increased Shelf Life
Vacuum packing keeps products from contact with air thus preventing evaporation of moisture and helping to increase the shelf life of the products. The shelf life of food items is greatly extended when vacuum sealed as it preserves them 3 to 5 times longer than food stored in plastic containers or bags. It is also a preferred form of packaging for many products going into long-term freezer storage as it can reduce freezer burn. It is the most opted choice for packaging of meat around the world.
- Protection
Vacuum packing ensures products are encapsulated in an oxygen-deficient environment by sealing the product in a flexible film of low oxygen permeability. This helps to protect against external influences, such as dirt, dust, moisture, scratches, insects, and dehydration. It not only extends product life but also reduces weight loss through the control
of evaporation, protection against contamination, preservation of colour, and improved eating characteristics because of the long ageing that is possible in vacuum packing. It also ensures proper securing of valuable goods by vacuum sealing them. One can also use the option to imprint a date and user code with the seal.
- Efficient Packaging With Multiple Packaging Options
With a variety of machines and materials available to choose from, the correct choice ensures an efficient packaging process with hundreds or thousands of products that can be sealed per hour. The materials used in vacuum packing come with multiple options like rolls of film or bags to seal products. The bags used can be of re-closable zippers, easy-open tear notches, foil-lined, channeled, and with a variety of other options to choose from. Hence a large variety of options make it an ideal packing option for various types of products.
- No Chemical Preservatives Required
Vacuum packaging eliminates the need for chemical preservatives, especially for food items. Using the right mixture of oxygen to inert gas, products can last longer without the use of preservatives. The most commonly used inert gas for vacuum packaging is nitrogen as the earth's atmosphere is made up of 78% of this gas.
Vacuum packing is an affordable packaging solution that enables products to be shelf-ready while maintaining product quality and safety.
0
