Plastic Technologies Launches Oxygen Permeation App to Help Assess Material Selection Impact on Shelf Life


Holland, Ohio - Plastic Technologies, Inc. (PTI) has launched a new free app which calculates the oxygen permeation of food and beverage packaging structures and containers. Called PackLifeO2, the app is based on the M-Rule® model and is available on iPhone/iPad and Android platforms.

"We designed this app as a 'back of envelope' calculator for specific materials and combinations. While it's not an absolute decision making tool, it does give users confirmation that they are headed in the right direction," said Ron Puvak, director of business development and marketing, PTI.

The app contains five input sections-material, layers, concentration, conditions, results-designed help the user quickly input data and obtain oxygen permeation results for their specific container.

The first screen asks the user to identify the packaging dimensions (surface area and capacity). Next, variables for material and thickness are entered. (Up to three layers can be used for the calculation.) The user selects the material options from a pull down menu. These include polyethylene therephthalate, low-density polyethylene, polypropylene, polycarbonate and nylon 6. (The selections default to predetermined crystalinities which may or may not be representative of what is being used in the specific structure being evaluated.) Each layer's thickness in centimeters is also input.

The next screen asks for input of initial internal and external oxygen concentration at weight per volume parts per million. This is followed by temperature (relative humidity is preset at 50%) and time (number of days) over which the oxygen permeation should be calculated.

With those inputs in place, the user clicks on "graph" to pull up the next screen which displays what happens to the parts per million of internal oxygen as the package is virtually subjected to the predetermined test period. (There is also a follow-up screen which displays a summary of the input variables.)

The PackLifeO2 calculator is an ideal tool for packaging professionals, plastic processors, resin producers, lab techs, plant production, equipment manufacturers and others involved in the package selection process. It can be quickly located in the iTunes App Store or the Android Play Store by searching for "PackLifeO2."

This app joins two previously released PTI apps-the PET Hydrolytic Degradation Nomograph and PET Blend Calculator.

About M-Rule®

M-Rule®, from Container Science®, is a computer model for predicting the performance of plastic packaging under a broad range of environmental conditions. Introduced in 2002, the M-Rule® model is widely used for new package development, strategic analysis of alternative technologies, assessment of competitive materials/packages, lightweighting programs, barrier technology development and materials research and development. For more info: www.containerscience.com.

About Plastic Technologies

Plastic Technologies, Inc. (PTI) is recognized worldwide as the preferred source for preform and package design, package development, rapid prototyping, pre-production prototyping, and material evaluation engineering for the plastic packaging industry. For more info: www.plastictechnologies.com.

Please forward sales inquiries to:

Ron Puvak

Director of Marketing

Plastic Technologies, Inc.

1440 Timberwolf Drive

P.O. Box 964

Holland, OH 43528-0964

Phone: (419) 725-5613

Email: r.puvak@plastictechnologies.com

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