Cured Meats & Sausages
Films for the Packaging of Cured Meats and Sliced Cold Cuts
The packaging of cured meats and sausages, whether whole, portioned or sliced, is mainly based on vacuum packaging, modified atmosphere packaging (MAP) and skin packaging, implemented through various packaging solutions such as thermoformed packs, heat-sealed trays and flow packs. All of these require high levels of oxygen and moisture barrier protection to preserve the product’s colour, aroma, texture and quality throughout its shelf life.
To meet these requirements, we develop high-barrier coextruded films that make it possible to replace rigid trays with a single thermoformable and shrinkable structure, mono-material PE films for thermoforming applications, and lamination films, also available in anti-fog and anti-UV versions, for the production of high-performance barrier structures.
Particular attention is given to resealable films, which guarantee up to ten opening and closing cycles. This solution is increasingly in demand in the cured meat sector, as it helps extend product preservation after opening, reducing food waste without the need for additional packaging.
At the same time, we continue to invest in the development of mono-material films and PPWR-ready solutions, supporting the industry’s transition towards increasingly sustainable packaging models.
EVOH (Ethylene Vinyl Alcohol) is a functional layer incorporated into multilayer coextruded PE-based structures, where it acts as an oxygen barrier, while the outer layers provide mechanical strength, sealability and processability. In sliced cured meats, this technology helps limit product oxidation and preserve quality characteristics during storage.
The combination of high barrier performance, reliable packaging line performance and the ability to develop increasingly sustainable structures enables cured meat producers and packers to meet their requirements, helping maintain product shelf life and quality through to consumption.
Sliced cured meats packaged in a protective atmosphere and stored under refrigeration are particularly prone to condensation forming inside the package due to temperature fluctuations that may occur during transportation, storage and display. The presence of water droplets on the film can reduce product visibility and negatively affect consumers’ perception of quality.
For this reason, ITP develops Anti-Fog films that help maintain a clear view of the product throughout the package’s commercial life, enhancing the appearance of sliced cured meats at the point of sale and meeting the high standards required by modern retail chains.
The main difference lies in the degree of adhesion to the product and, consequently, in the performance characteristics required of the film.
A skin film adheres to the product like a second skin: vacuum packaging completely removes residual air and the film conforms precisely to the shape of the food product. This requires a film with high elasticity and stretchability without tearing, as well as excellent puncture resistance at points of direct contact with irregular or sharp surfaces, such as bones or sliced product edges.
A MAP film does not adhere directly to the product. The package is filled with a protective gas mixture, typically nitrogen and carbon dioxide, which replaces the air. In this case, the structural priority shifts to hermetic seal integrity and long-term dimensional stability of the film, preventing gas loss and package collapse over time.In both cases, oxygen and moisture barrier performance remains a common and essential requirement, typically provided by an EVOH layer within the coextruded polyethylene-based structure. However, the formulation of the individual layers is specifically designed according to the intended packaging technology and application requirements.
Triflex T-ShrinkPack
High-barrier, shrinkable and thermoformable coextruded multilayer film. Designed to replace rigid trays.
It offers excellent mechanical properties, high shrink performance and outstanding optical properties.
Ideal for cured meats, meat, poultry, fish and cheese.
Its thin and lightweight structure reduces packaging weight, optimizing logistics costs and lowering the carbon footprint.
Triflex T-Lid
Innovative bi-oriented coextruded film for top lidding applications, requiring no lamination, characterized by high stiffness and toughness, as well as excellent transparency and gloss.
Enhanced with an anti-fog additive, it seals plastic trays, preventing food deterioration thanks to its high oxygen barrier properties.
Its appearance improves product presentation on the shelf. Thanks to its ultra-thin gauge and lightweight structure, it reduces carbon footprint and logistics costs.
Deepflex
Thanks to its flexible mono-material structure, this film enables the production of packaging made entirely from PE. Ideal for meat, fish and cured meats.
Its mono-material composition and EVOH content below 5% make the product fully recyclable, with LDPE 4 material identification coding.
Serie F®
A wide range of self-adhesive films suitable for thermal lamination processes, providing permanent adhesion to semi-rigid sheets (PVC, PET, PP, PS, EPS), used as an inner layer in food packaging applications such as trays and containers.
These films are produced through the coextrusion of polyolefin resins, without the use of adhesives or solvents.
Barrier, non-barrier and peelable versions are available to meet consumer requirements for both product preservation and convenience.
Excellent mechanical properties and thermoformability.
Re-Sealflex®
Re-Sealflex® è una gamma di film pelabili e richiudibili per la laminazione su supporti biorientati, progettata per la sigillatura di vaschette in PE, PET e PS. Grazie al sistema richiudibile, consente fino a 10 cicli di apertura e chiusura dopo il primo utilizzo, contribuendo a ridurre gli sprechi alimentari e la necessità di imballaggi aggiuntivi.
Disponibile anche in versione barriera, Re-Sealflex® aiuta a preservare il prodotto una volta aperto, offrendo un’efficace protezione contro ossigeno, umidità e perdita di aromi e contribuendo così a prolungarne la shelf life domestica. Ideale per il confezionamento di formaggi, salumi, carne, pesce, cereali, conserve, piatti pronti e altri prodotti alimentari. Applicazioni: vaschette, top lidding, doypack, buste e sistemi bag-in-box. Disponibile anche in versione richiudibile su PET.
Bariflex
Bariflex® is a PE/EVOH/PE coextruded film designed for lamination in the production of multilayer food packaging. Thanks to its EVOH barrier layer, it provides effective protection against oxygen, moisture and aroma loss, with performance that can be tailored to specific application requirements.
Ideal for modified atmosphere packaging, Bariflex® helps extend the shelf life of fresh and chilled foods.
It is also available in:
- Anti-Fog versions, which reduce condensation inside the package and preserve product visibility;
- Anti-UV versions, designed to protect foods sensitive to ultraviolet light exposure.
BRC CERTIFICATION
ITP is certified to the BRCGS Packaging Materials Standard with an AA+ grade, the highest rating awarded for food-contact packaging materials.
The BRCGS Packaging Materials Standard is recognized by the Global Food Safety Initiative (GFSI) and is one of the leading international benchmarks for packaging safety and quality.
In 2021, ITP also became the first company in the world to achieve BRCGS Packaging Materials certification with Module 10 (Plastic Pellet Loss Prevention) with full marks. This voluntary module is dedicated to preventing the release of plastic pellets into the environment, in line with the principles of Operation Clean Sweep®.
Our certifications
We invest in third-party audits of our products and our management system, to ensure maximum transparency regarding safety and sustainability issues.
