軟包材用接着剤と食品安全

抄録

Flexible packaging materials that consist of layers of film and metallic foil can be made suitable for various use cases by changing the combination of film and metallic foil to be laminated. The adhesives that laminate these films are designed along with the use case. In particular, as adhesives for flexible packaging material come into indirect contact with the foods through the films, only adhesives whose safety and hygiene can be confirmed are used. These flexible packaging materials are lighter and save resources compared to glass bottles, cans, and plastic bottles, and they are becoming more prevalent. Domestically, the need for such packaging is increasing due to the increased tendency of solitary eating as a result of COVID-19, as well as the improved dietary standards and development of food processing export bases. The same is true in developing countries, where there are increased food production and a reduction in food loss due to the long-term population growth. Simultaneously, as flexible packaging is a consumable material that is produced and consumed in large amounts every day, there is a call for cleaner materials and production processes requiring fewer resources. In this report, we will introduce the latest development trends in flexible packaging adhesives that are both safer and better for the environment.