What are you packing?
Start with product sensitivity.01 FLEXIBLE PACKAGING FILM & ALUMINIUM FOIL
Flexible packaging film and foil,
mapped by structure.
Source flexible packaging raw materials for converting—not finished bags. Compare film, aluminium foil and metallized PET or CPP routes by layer role, structure, converting conditions and trial requirements.
Application-ledSupplier matchingSample-mindedClear RFQs
STRUCTURE VIEWOUTER WEB · BARRIER · SEALANT
01PETprint + structure
02ALbarrier
03PEsealant
EXAMPLE APET / AL / PE
EXAMPLE BBOPP / VMCPP
Material matching starts with the packed product, shelf-life target, filling process, converting route and destination market.
How will it run?
Map filling and converting conditions.What must it resist?
Set measurable performance targets.Where will it ship?
Confirm compliance and logistics.02 MATERIAL FAMILIES
Choose by role in the structure.
Explore the job each material can perform, then narrow the sourcing brief by surface treatment, roll format, performance target and converting route.
Published sourcing routes: aluminium foil, functional PE and metallized films. Other film families below are decision guides and require a scope check before quotation.
AL
FoilPublished sourcing routeAluminium foil
Barrier layer for converted laminates
- Light / gas barrier
- Dead-fold
- Heat resistance
QUALIFY NEXT
Confirm alloy, temper, gauge, pinhole criteria and converting route.
F-PE
FilmPublished sourcing routeFunctional PE film
Application-tuned sealant or PE-rich structure
- Sealing window
- Toughness
- Function by grade
QUALIFY NEXT
Define the required function: low-SIT, antifog, easy-open, barrier or other.
PET
FilmScope check / decision guidePET / BOPET film
Print web, lamination substrate or dimensional layer
- Stiffness
- Print surface
- Dimensional stability
QUALIFY NEXT
Confirm whether the requirement is PET, BOPET, coated or heat-sealable PET.
PE
FilmScope check / decision guidePE film
Sealant, inner web or flexible protective layer
- Heat sealing
- Flexibility
- Moisture resistance
QUALIFY NEXT
Specify resin family, sealing target, treatment and mechanical requirements.
CPP
FilmScope check / decision guideCPP film
Heat-sealable web for laminates and selected mono-web uses
- Sealability
- Clarity
- Grade-specific heat performance
QUALIFY NEXT
Confirm plain, retort, low-SIT, antifog or other required grade.
BOPP
FilmScope check / decision guideBOPP film
Print, overwrap, label or lamination web
- Clarity
- Stiffness
- Moisture resistance
QUALIFY NEXT
Define heat-seal, treatment, optical and converting requirements.
VMCPP
MetallizedPublished sourcing routeMetallized CPP
Barrier and sealant function in selected laminates
- Metallic barrier
- Heat sealing
- Lamination
QUALIFY NEXT
Specify optical density, metal bond, seal performance and barrier targets.
VMPET
MetallizedPublished sourcing routeMetallized PET
Barrier, reflective or decorative layer
- Dimensional stability
- Metallic appearance
- Lamination
QUALIFY NEXT
Specify optical density, metal adhesion, treatment and target OTR / WVTR.
03 STRUCTURE MAP
One table. Seven different jobs.
Use this orientation to frame the first conversation, then compare grade-specific values, tolerances and test conditions.
| Material | Typical role | Seal function | Print fit | Performance cue | Qualification focus |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Aluminium foil | Barrier core | No | Via laminate / primer | Light, gas and moisture barrier | Pinhole criteria matter at thin gauges |
| PET / BOPET | Outer print or structural web | Grade-dependent | Strong fit | Dimensional and mechanical role | Clarify coating and treatment |
| BOPP | Outer web, label or overwrap | Grade-dependent | Strong fit | Moisture-oriented role | High-barrier claims require a defined grade |
| CPP | Inner web or standalone film | Common role | Usually in laminate | Seal and toughness role | Retort / low-SIT are separate qualifications |
| PE / functional PE | Sealant or PE-rich structure | Common role | Treatment-dependent | Seal and toughness role | Function must be named and tested |
| VMCPP | Metallized inner web | Grade-dependent | Usually laminated | Barrier plus seal role | Check OD, metal bond and sealing |
| VMPET | Metallized barrier web | Requires seal layer | Laminate / grade-dependent | Barrier and visual role | Check OD, adhesion and flex durability |
“Grade-dependent” is intentional: coating, treatment and formulation can change performance materially.
04 APPLICATION DISCOVERY
Translate the use case into a material brief.
The application does not select the material by itself. Product chemistry, filling conditions, target shelf life and packaging equipment narrow the field.
Dry foods & snacks
Moisture, aroma, light, seal contamination and line speed.
Coffee & aroma-sensitive goods
Barrier, flex durability, valve or pack format, and seal integrity.
Dairy & confectionery
Dead-fold, grease resistance, cold conditions and surface conversion.
Healthcare packaging
Regulatory evidence, barrier, seal system and validation requirements.
Labels & technical uses
Dimensional stability, optics, treatment, adhesion and end-use exposure.
05 QUALIFICATION PATH
From requirement
to running roll.
No “equivalent” material should be approved from a product name alone.
- 01
Define
Application, structure, line conditions and measurable targets.
- 02
Match
Compare grade, treatment, dimensions, tests and compliance evidence.
- 03
Sample
Agree sample format and a documented converter trial plan.
- 04
Validate
Record machinability, pack performance and acceptance criteria.
06 TECHNICAL LIBRARY
Resources buyers can actually use.
Selection tools focus on specification, comparison and qualification—the information that moves a sourcing project forward.
Fifteen guides between a material name and a usable RFQ
Compare material roles, normalize test evidence, define roll and line requirements, then assemble the enquiry.
Browse all buyer guides ↗BOPP vs CPP film
Assign outer-web, sealing and conversion jobs before selecting a polypropylene grade.
Compare the layer roles ↗VMPET vs VMCPP
Separate the barrier web from the sealing job before comparing price.
Compare metallized films ↗Aluminium foil vs metallized film
Compare complete structures, conversion risks and equivalent test stages.
Compare barrier routes ↗Packaging-film RFQ checklist
Capture the details that prevent a generic, non-comparable quotation.
Open the full checklist ↗OTR & WVTR test conditions
Preserve the specimen, method and environment behind every barrier result.
Make results comparable ↗Thickness, basis weight & yield
Use buyer-entered values and visible formulas without assuming density or gauge convention.
Open the worksheet ↗07 RFQ BRIEF BUILDER
Make the first quote comparable.
Turn your application, structure and performance requirements into a clean brief for supplier matching, sample planning and quotation. The brief is created in your browser for you to copy or download. No email or account required. Nothing is sent from this page. After the brief is ready, you may open the shared export WhatsApp desk with the source-coded text prefilled and press send there.
ENTRY CONTEXTDirect RFQ builder
No allowlisted material, guide or tool context was supplied.
✓ Material or open recommendation✓ Structure and dimensions✓ Performance and compliance✓ Volume and trial needs