What is Active Packaging ? What is Antimicrobial Packaging?

Active packaging refers to a type of food packaging that interacts with the product inside to improve its shelf life, freshness, safety, or other quality attributes. There are several types of active food packaging, including oxygen scavengers, moisture control agents, antimicrobial agents, and gas emitters.​

Antimicrobial packaging is designed to prevent or reduce the growth of microorganisms on the surface of the packaging, extending the shelf life of the product.

Some examples of active packaging and antimicrobial food packaging include:

1. Oxygen scavenger sachets in food packaging to prolong shelf life by absorbing oxygen and reducing spoilage.
2. Moisture absorbers in packaging for products that are sensitive to moisture, such as electronics and pharmaceuticals.
3. Ethylene scavenger sachets in fresh produce packaging to slow down the ripening process and extend shelf life.
4. Anti-fog packaging for fresh produce to reduce moisture build-up and prevent bacterial growth.
5. Antimicrobial films for meat and poultry packaging to reduce bacterial growth and extend shelf life.
6. Self-heating packaging for ready-to-eat meals and beverages that heat up automatically when activated.
7. Self-cooling packaging for drinks and perishable products that maintain a cool temperature without the need for refrigeration.
8. Active coatings that prevent oxygen and moisture from entering packaging, preserving the product inside.
9. Antimicrobial packaging inserts - containing substances like essential oils that can help to preserve the freshness of food products.
10. Antimicrobial nanocomposites - containing nanoparticles like zinc oxide or titanium dioxide that can help to prevent microbial growth.
11. Active antimicrobial packaging - containing substances like silver or copper nanoparticles that can inhibit the growth of bacteria and fungi.
12. Antibacterial edible films - made from natural materials like chitosan, a substance derived from the shells of crustaceans that has antimicrobial properties.

PTR helps clients optimize their food packaging everyday.  We identify the right packaging science and the value chain initiatives for you to optimize your packaging  - including using active and antimicrobial food packaging solutions.

Dr. Claire Sand
Food Packaging Expert
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• ARTICLE: Antimicrobials Grant Superpowers to Food Packaging 
  

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Frequently asked questions 

How does active packaging work?
Active packaging works by incorporating an active agent or system into the packaging material that can interact with the product inside. For example, oxygen scavengers can remove oxygen from the package, while antimicrobial agents can inhibit the growth of microorganisms.

What are the benefits of active packaging?
Active packaging can provide several benefits, including extended shelf life, improved product quality, prevent food waste, and enhanced safety.

​What is oxygen scavenging in active packaging?
Oxygen scavenging is a type of active packaging that removes oxygen from the package to prevent oxidation and spoilage of the product inside.

What is moisture control in active packaging?
Moisture control is a type of active packaging that regulates the moisture level inside the package to prevent spoilage, clumping, or other issues.

What is antimicrobial packaging?
Antimicrobial packaging is a type of active packaging that incorporates antimicrobial agents into the packaging material to inhibit the growth of microorganisms and extend the shelf life of the product.

What is modified atmosphere packaging?
​Modified atmosphere packaging (MAP) is a type of active packaging that modifies the composition of the air inside the package to slow down the product degradation and extend the shelf life.

What are the challenges of using active packaging?
The challenges of using active packaging include the cost, regulatory compliance, and potential interactions between the active agents and the product.

How does antimicrobial packaging work?
Antimicrobial packaging works by incorporating antimicrobial agents that can inhibit or kill microorganisms on the surface of the packaging.

What are some examples of antimicrobial packaging?
Some examples of antimicrobial packaging include films, coatings, and labels that contain antimicrobial agents such as silver, copper, or essential oils.

Read our Active Packaging Insights >

Check out our free articles, presentations and more on active packaging topics shared in our Insights page!

We frequently work with food industry clients on active packaging solutions including:

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Farms & Produce Companies

PTR projects include direct from farm packaging , support of produce packaging including fruit packaging and vegetable packaging 

Frozen Food Companies

Our project work includes frozen bakery packaging, frozen fruit packaging, frozen vegetable packaging and frozen meat packaging.

Bakery

Packaging for fresh breads, pastry packaging, cake packaging, desert packaging and more!