Easy-peel resins: Latest regulatory trends and technical explanations

Easy-peel resins are engineering materials that require multivariate optimization to simultaneously satisfy "ease of opening" and "sealability," including peel strength range, retort heat resistance, and content-dependent aging stability. Modic™ Peelable offers three types (X, Y, and Z) for PP/PE/multi-substrates, and is a design platform that allows for process-side tuning of opening feel, stringing, and peel surface appearance based on the cohesive peeling/interfacial peeling mechanism and heat sealing conditions (temperature, pressure, and time). Furthermore, it offers grades that comply with food contact regulations in various countries such as Japan, the US FDA, the EU, and China GB, as well as biomass grades, enabling packaging design based on global compliance and sustainability requirements, which is a point that should be considered as a prerequisite at the initial stage of material selection.

The role of easy-peel resins and regulations in various countries

The food packaging industry is required to balance consumer convenience with product protection. In particular, lids and packaging films for food containers need to have two seemingly contradictory properties: they must be able to "seal tightly" and "be easy to open."​

Easy-peel treesfat As a functional material that solves this problem, its adoption is expanding in a wide range of food packaging applications.

Easy-peel technology is used in many everyday food packaging products, such as lids for jelly and pudding cups, lid films for retort curry and instant noodles, and yogurt containers.

Easy-peel resins for food packaging require the following multifaceted performance characteristics:

• Appropriate peel strength: Approximately 4-15 N/15 mm (designed according to application)

• Sealing: Protects contents and prevents leakage.

• Peeling sensation: Smooth opening, reduced zipping

• Aesthetic appearance of the peeled surface: No stringing or angel hair (fibrous peeling residue)

• Heat resistance: Suitable for retort sterilization (121°C) and boiling (100°C).

• Resistance to contents: Prevention of deterioration due to oils and greases, suppression of changes over time.

• Heat sealability: Stable sealing performance over a wide temperature range.

• Food hygiene: Compliant with regulations in various countries

Easy-peel resins for food packaging come into direct contact with food, so compliance with regulations in each country is necessary.

As a manufacturer, it's desirable to use resins that can comply with the regulations of each country.

Modic™ Peelable offers a lineup of grades that comply not only with Japanese standards but also with US FDA, European PIM, and Chinese GB standards.

For a detailed explanation of the systems in each country, please refer to the article below.

Explanation of Food Sanitation Laws in various countries (https://ppd-japan.mcgc.com/blog/tefabloc-food-contact-materials-jp)

Modic™ Peelable product line and technical features

Modic™ Peelable offers three types (X, Y, and Z) optimized for different types of substrates.

● It is primarily used as a lid material for food containers and as an easy-peel sealant for food packaging.

●It is also used in electronic packaging and medical packaging.

●It can be used not only as a lid for containers, but also as an easy-peel sealant for bonding films together.

● Provides a smooth peeling sensation and a clean peeled surface.

Designed as a lid material for polypropylene (PP) containers, it features high heat resistance and is available in multiple grades with melting points ranging from 109 to 142°C. Retort-compatible versions (121°C and above) are also available. Through cohesive or interfacial delamination, it achieves excellent transparency and sealing for applications such as jelly, pudding, rice dishes, and curry.

Optimized for polyethylene (PE) containers and PE-coated paper containers, it features a smooth release. A boil-safe grade is available. It can also be used for sealing film surfaces together. In addition to yogurt, instant food, and confectionery packaging, it can also be used for medical packaging.

This highly versatile type can be used with a wide range of substrates, including PS (polystyrene), PET, PVC, and PP. It achieves high transparency primarily through interfacial peeling, making it ideal for applications where visibility is crucial, such as yogurt and beverage containers. It can also be used in non-food applications, such as cover tapes for electronic components.

This document summarizes the availability of representative grades in various countries. We may also be able to accommodate grades not listed here; please contact us for details.

In response to growing concerns about sustainability, Mitsubishi Chemical is developing a biomass grade of Modic™ Peelable.

• Biomass content: 40-60%

• We are considering obtaining BioPlastic Mark certification (please contact us for details).

The adoption of biomass plastics is expected to reduce reliance on fossil fuels and contribute to carbon neutrality. As the food packaging industry as a whole demands reduced environmental impact, Modic™ Peelable's biomass grade offers a choice that balances performance and environmental friendliness. If you are interested, please contact us.

Peeling mechanism and processing conditions

The performance of Modic™ Peelable is characterized by its peeling morphology.

• Coagulation delamination: Destruction occurs within the sealant layer. Excellent sealing performance.

• Interfacial delamination: Delamination occurs at the interface with the adherend. The delaminate surface is clean.

The peel strength can be adjusted by the heat sealing temperature. We use temperatures of 140-180°C, pressures of 0.2-MPa, and a time of 1 second. Each type can be used over a wide temperature range. Detailed conditions are described in the technical documentation.

Modic™ Peelable supports a variety of processing processes, including inflation molding, T-die casting, and extrusion lamination. A typical layer configuration is PET substrate // polyolefin layer / Modic™ Peelable layer. Please refer to the technical documentation for recommended processes and detailed layer configuration examples for each grade.

Points to note when implementing

Compliance with regulations for food contact materials requires an understanding of market-specific standards and accurate information dissemination within the company's supply chain. Since food contact material regulations in each country and region are frequently revised, always check the latest official information and guidelines before implementation.

As a compound manufacturer, Mitsubishi Chemical verifies product compliance through surveys with various raw material manufacturers and provides responses and grade recommendations based on the latest regulations in each country. However, since regulations and interpretations may change in the future, please contact your sales representative individually for specific regulatory confirmations and grade selections.

Due to the nature of compound products, it may take some time to confirm the formulation and raw materials used. We ask for your understanding that we require sufficient lead time in advance when inquiring about and responding to inquiries regarding compliance with regulations in various countries.

This article is a general explanation based on publicly available information and market and regulatory information obtained by our company, and does not guarantee suitability for specific products or applications or compliance with laws and regulations. We assume no responsibility whatsoever for the results of decisions or actions taken by customers based on this article. When actually applying this information, please be sure to check the latest laws, standards and public guidelines and evaluate and judge it at your own responsibility.

Inquiries and Technical Support

For detailed technical information, sample requests, and application suitability assessments for Modic™ Peelable, please contact us at the address below.

Our expert staff will provide technical support regarding usage restrictions in oily foods, compliance with regulations in various countries, specific grade selection, and optimization of heat sealing conditions.