RETORT POUCH
A retort pouch is constructed from a flexible metal-plastic laminate that is able to withstand the thermal processing used for sterilization. The food is first prepared, either raw or cooked, and then sealed into the retort pouch. The pouch is then heated to 240-250 °F (116-121 °C) for several minutes under high pressure inside a retort or autoclave machine.
Material
Polyester (PET) – provides a gloss and rigid layer, may be printed inside
Nylon (bi-oriented polyamide) – provides puncture resistance
Aluminum (Al) – provides a very thin but effective gas barrier
Cast polypropylene (CPP) – used as the sealing layer Polyethylene (PE) – can be used instead of PP as a sealing and bonding layer
ADVANTAGE
This multi-layer structure prevents the retort pouch from being recycled into other retort pouches or food packaging. However, the material can be recycled into an aluminized resin or up-cycled into textile materials.[5] The weight of a pouch is less than regular cans or bottles, and the energy required to produce each pouch is less than competing packaging from metals, paper, and glass.
