Introduction
UV radiation can cause serious harm and deterioration of many items and particularly on products such as food stuffs, medicines and cosmetics among others. UV rays harm vegetables by fading, discolouring, reducing nutrient content and altering texture and smell. The good news is that there are advanced UV resistant packaging solutions through which products may be shielded from advance UV radiation during storage and transporting.
What is UV Light and why is it bad for us?
UV light is a type of light which naturally emitted in sunlight. There are three main types:
- UVA- fade the skin, cause it to brown
- UVB – causes delayed skin burning at the same day and damage
- UVB – relatively less dangerous but reaches the ground – surface UVC – most dangerous but is absorbed by the ozone layer
UV penetration is possible deeper into the atmosphere and also reaches its peak in areas closer to the equator and at higher altitude. Snow, because it is a reflective surface also increases UV exposure.
The onset of photodegradation in organic materials occurs when UV acts on them and breaks chemical bonds. This leads to change in colour, poor nutrition value, and physical transformations. Colors wash away, plastics degrade, food gets spoiled quicker. The materials actually disintegrate right at their molecular level through a process called UV photodegradation.
Facial Care Products have been found to be most at risk for UV damage.
Many products suffer degradation from UV light during storage and transit:
- Cosmetics – Products change their color, smell, and texture, split, and lose their performance capability. Sun screens themselves are sun creams which means they wash off and lose their UVA/UVB protective capacity.
- Foods – UV light speeds up deterioration, dehydrates, and decreases the nutrient value; it also alters the colour and or texture of the food. Fruits and vegetables and packaged food, right from chips, coffee, to spices, are not safe.
- Pharmaceuticals – Solids – Drug potency and stability reduced by exposure to UV light. These changes can cause formation of toxic compounds so that modifications within a chemical composition yield toxic substances.
Some of examples of items which are typically considered as “gifts are flowers, paper products, leather products, artwork, electronics among others. Food and drinks containing photosensitive dyes, flavours, fragrances, vitamins and other organic chemicals may fall foul of UV degradative changes.
Protecting Against UV Rays With The Application Of Packaging
By that, it is meant that protection of products from UV impacts calls for minimizing their contact with those bad rays. UV-filtering packaging minimises the amount of Ultra Violet light trying to enter the packaging.
Clear plastics or glass come with UV permeability; opaque plastics reduce more UV penetration; and dark amber colors are the best to block the most damaging wavelengths (such as UVB).Foil pouches are another excellent choice because they combine the nonpermeability of aluminum with the flexibility factor.
Specific UV Blocking Additives
Further protection comes from built-in barriers: UV blocking additives which may include; Inorganic minerals are those that do not contain carbon except for carbonates where the element is present as carbonate ion, examples includes; zinc oxide,titanium dioxide, iron oxide. Incorporated in plastic films, glass, paper board and other materials the protective barriers permits minimal amounts of UV to pass through. Products remain protected from the effects of UV that causing expiration of products and damages.
Intellingent photosensitive open plies
Some new developed possibilities apply photosensitive layers on packaging materials. These “smart” layers feel heat from the sun and then set off some reactions that will inhibit the rays from passing through. Examples include:
- Coating of vanillin – turn into UV –resistant polymer layer as soon as exposed
- Spiropyran coating – change of the molecular configuration on UV sighting
- Photochromic inks used in the products – these inks change color to black once they are exposed to UV radiation to prevent its penetration.
These smart films are used on applications such as shrink bands, pouches, and cap seals to achieve relatively low cost selective environmental UV protection.
UV blocking Laminated films, Shrink Bands and Overwraps
Films and flexible packaging with UV barriers provide simple light blocking protection:
- Laminated films which include Multi-layer UV blocking
These products are full body shrink sleeve labels, bands and cap seals. - UV opaque overwrap pouches
This stretchable and collapsible flexible barrier packaging means that the entire product within this enclosure receives zero UV exposure. It permits lightweight, thin, cheap solutions for spherical, oval, or unusual form of the load containing perishable goods.
UV-Resistant Rigid Containers
Where more permanent protective packaging is preferred, rigid plastic tubs, jars, and boxes with embedded UV inhibitors or coatings enable full control over product exposure:
- HDPE, PET, and PP plastic
Dark colorant containing highly loaded plastic re fined. - In-mold labeling
Non-translucent UV blocking surface coatings
This shields external light while at the same time providing an opportunity for product identification at the retail or during usage. Other form of rigid containers in bulk are hermetical which also limit or deny gas exchange hence enhancing product stability.
Living with Complete UV Protection
A comprehensive UV degradation prevention strategy combines blocking of rays at multiple levels:
- Primary – Typically transparent plastic or glass container shapes containing Additive laden core product guarded by hermetically sealed barrier containers designed to block specific detrimental light wavelengths.
- Secondary – Additional external barrier added for storage or transport in the form of paperboard cases, foil overwraps or opaque polymer shrink wraps.
- Tertiary – Assorted large outer packaging that are UV sensitive resistant, either through a woven plastic sack, opaque drums or lined corrugated boxes.
Furthermore, climate controlled dark storage also do not allow heat or moisture to exacerbate UV induced damage. Refrigeration is also useful for consumables as well as pharmaceuticals.
Take specific engineered UV-blocking packaging solution together with practical storage procedures provides products the depth and durability they require. Sophisticated food products can be shipped internationally making it possible for the brand to guarantee the original quality to the buyers. Measures taken towards preventing UV impact considerably make the distribution of the most sensitive products around the world possible economically.