Nathan Dube

By: Nathan Dube on August 27th, 2020

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What Are Ovenable Food Packaging Films? Uses And Applications

Packaging Materials | Packaging Design | Food Packaging

As the food packaging industry continues to heat up, many brands are starting to look to ovenable films as packaging solutions.

 

Ovenable films are films that can be used as top seals or bagging for food products. These materials can be placed directly into an oven. The entire package can be cooked to heat the food without removing the food products from the packaging.

 

Chances are you have been shopping around for ovenable food packaging or at least trying to get more information about the different types of ovenable films.

 

Perhaps you are experiencing pain points in relation to using the wrong type of film or packaging for your products and you want to be sure to choose the right material for ovenable foods.

 

When trying to find the right ovenable films, there are a few things you will want to consider: films, heat limitations, cost, and compatibility with your existing packaging machinery.

 

Industrial Packaging has been selling packaging films for many years. We have been at the forefront of knowledge on ovenable films since they first showed up on the market. In this article, we will be exploring the different types of ovenable films currently available and providing you with information about each. By the end of this guide, you will be able to choose the appropriate ovenable film for your food packaging applications.

 

What Are Ovenable Films?

 

Ovenable films are films that can be used as top seals or bagging for food products. These materials can be placed directly into an oven. The entire package can be cooked to heat the food without removing the food products from the packaging.

 

Ovenable films were created as a solution for the ever-growing demand for home cooked-style "bake in own container" foods that combine quality and healthy ingredients with simplicity and minimal work to prepare. Some examples include: pot roasts, veggies, potatoes and pies.

 

As food safety has become the main focus for many brands and consumers alike, many ovenable films make sure that food can go from the store to the dinner table without being unpackaged.

 

The films for ovenable food packaging have some very specific benefits as well. These films are specially designed to tolerate temperatures up to 225 degrees Celsius. Most ovenable films can be printed with high-def flexography printing, which allows for greater shelf appeal and reduced waste materials.

 

Ovenable food films can be designed to vent steam so that you do not need to poke holes in the material before putting it into the oven. They also make for much faster cooking times and allow for the food products to better retain moisture as they cook inside of the package.

 

Ovenable bags also make for excellent containers for foods to marinate before being cooked. This makes for easy and flavorful meals with zero prep time.

 

Ovenable films are made for use on wrapping machines, but they can also be purchased as pre-made heat resistant bagging. This allows food producers to seal whole meals as well as foods like beef, fish, pork, and poultry in easy to cook pouches that can be heated in traditional ovens and microwaves.

 

Food products can be sent directly from the freezer to an oven or microwave. They can be cooked with the film designed to vent steam so that you do not need to poke holes in the material before putting it into the oven.

 

Ovenable films make for much faster cooking times and allow for the food products to better retain moisture as they cook inside of the package.

 

Ovenable bags also make for excellent containers for foods to marinate before being cooked. This makes for easy and flavorful meals with zero prep time.

 

In today's insanely busy world, many families are looking for alternatives to the traditional family meal and the time-consuming process that many recipes require.

 

This is one of the significant reasons that ovenable films are becoming so popular and proving to garner higher demand from consumers.

 


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What Are The Currently Available Brands Of Ovenable Films?

 

For around the past year, we have seen many new ovenable film products pop up throughout the packaging materials market.

 

KM Packaging

 

KM Packaging is a brand that has launched its ovenable film, which it calls "Super guard film." KMP says the product was created to meet the demands of consumers looking to produce quality and healthy meals in less time for their families.

 

CRYOVAC

 

CRYOVAC is another company who has entered the market with their Oven Ease™ ovenable bag. This bagging comes seasoned with herbs and spices that are meant to be heated in-bag during cooking. These bags cut down prep-time and make for faster meals to the dinner table.


These bags are ultra-clear and can be used to cook raw foods or left-overs for reheating. The heat limit on these bags is 400 degrees Fahrenheit for up to two hours or 375 degrees Fahrenheit for up to four hours. Oven Ease can be run on traditional rotary chamber systems. They can be vacuum-packed and frozen as well.

 

Transcendia

 

TRANSPET® HSPET-F By Transcendia is a one side, heat-sealable polyester film designed to be used as an overwrap film. HSPET-F is dual ovenable and can be used to contain foods during oven cooking or oven baking at temperatures above 250F; however, maximum oven temperature should not exceed 425F.

 

Other notable brands of ovenable films include Bemis and Winpack. As for which brand of ovenable film is right for your food packaging applications, well, that all depends on the products, machinery, and materials that you are currently running.

 

 

Each film has its pros and cons and may or may not be a good choice for your product based on factors including but not limited to size, weight, heating requirements and the types of packaging machinery you are running or will be required to purchase in order to run the ovenable films you wish to use.

 

 

You will want to reach out to each brand and explain you packaging requirements. Ask them to send you samples of the ovenable films they feel are the best fit with instructions on how to run a test for each. Once you have run the tests, with the help of your chosen brand rep, you will be able to identify which film is best for your needs.

 

 

It is advised that you get an analysis from a local packaging expert. They will be able to look at your current packaging protocols, equipment, and materials and advise you on which type of ovenable film is best for your unique needs.


 

Where Should You Buy Your Ovenable Films?

 

Once you have decided to purchase ovenable films, you will find that you have several options when it comes to choosing a vendor to acquire your films from.

 

 

Your Current Vendor

 

 

If you currently have a packaging vendor, chances are they will have ovenable films for purchase. They will probably be your best bet because you already have a relationship with them and likely trust them on your packaging line.

 

 

Packaging Distributors

 

 

Industrial Packaging happens to be a packaging distributor. Companies like Industrial Packaging are common choices for getting a professional analysis for your packaging line.

 

 

Packaging distributors don’t have any loyalties to any specific brands. This usually results in them selling different brands of machinery, materials, and supplies.

 

 

Packaging distributors look at your packaging line and can find the best solution for you based on your exact needs without pushing a certain brand on you.

 

 

This makes packaging distributors an excellent choice for getting an analysis done on your packaging line. This makes packaging distributors an excellent choice for getting an analysis done on your packaging line.

 

 

Representatives from packaging distributors are professionals concerning multiple different types of ovenable films. You’ll receive help not only in choosing the right ovenable film, but you’ll also get other feedback on how to optimize your packaging line for the use of ovenable films.

 

 

Manufacturers

 

 

An excellent option for buying ovenable films would be using a manufacturer (OEM). Manufacturers tend to have highly trained representatives that are industry experts on the ovenable films that they sell.

 

 

A manufacturer almost always has the most knowledgeable reps on their products. This is primarily because they exclusively work with their own brand's films.

 

 

It should be noted that not all manufacturers will sell directly to you. In this case, you will have to buy from another vendor.

 

 

Online And E-com Stores

 

 

Another option for sourcing your ovenable films would be to purchase them online from sellers such as Amazon or Alibaba. Another digital alternative to brick and mortar stores would also include e-com stores hosted and owned by packaging companies.

 

Many packaging companies feature their online e-com operations as an added convenience for their customers who prefer to order online rather than speaking to a human representative over the phone or in person.

 

Taking The Next Step

 

With the information above, you should be armed with the knowledge to make a purchasing decision. If you are not currently ready to make the purchase, and you would like some guidance on how to move forward, please consider reaching out to one of our packaging experts.


Our highly-trained packaging professionals will be able to analyze your products and packaging requirements and tell you exactly which type of ovenable film is the correct choice for your unique packaging processes.


We will be able to offer this information and help you to make a purchase even if that purchase is not ultimately made through Industrial Packaging.

 

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About Nathan Dube

As the Digital Marketing Specialist at Industrial Packaging, I am honored to create content for such a phenomenal company and work with one of the greatest teams in the Packaging Industry. Whether creating a video, writing blog posts or generating other pieces of content and multimedia, I am always excited to help educate and inspire our prospects and clients to reach their highest potential in regards to their packaging processes and needs.