Accurately analyze the oxygen transmission rate (OTR) of your packaging
Oxygen transmission rate (OTR) is a key parameter for assessing the gas permeability of packaging materials. This analysis is essential to ensure optimal preservation of products sensitive to oxidation, such as food, beverages, pharmaceuticals and cosmetics.
Thanks to accurate OTR measurement, manufacturers can optimize their choice of packaging materials in order to extend the shelf life of products and guarantee their quality until consumption.
What analyses should be performed with the oxygen transmission rate (OTR)?
OTR analysis is used to determine the amount of oxygen passing through a packaging material over a given period of time. Several types of tests can be performed:
- Measurement of oxygen transmission rate at different temperatures and humidities to simulate real storage conditions.
- Comparison of different materials or multi-layer structures to choose the most suitable packaging.
- Evaluation of barrier performance after aging in order to analyze the degradation of the material over time.
- Quality control of production batches to ensure packaging conformity before marketing.
These analyses are essential to ensure product preservation, avoid oxidation and meet the regulatory requirements of the food, pharmaceutical and cosmetic industries.
How Oxygen Transmission Rate (OTR) Analysis Works
OTR measurement relies on specific techniques to accurately quantify a material's permeability to oxygen. The most common methods include:
- Pressure sensor method :
- A sample of the material is placed between two chambers.
- One of the chambers is filled with oxygen while the other is under vacuum or filled with an inert gas (nitrogen).
- The sensor detects the amount of oxygen passing through the material and calculates the OTR.
- Coulometric detection method :
- Used for materials with very low permeability.
- A coulometric detector accurately captures and measures the transmitted oxygen.
- Fluorescence method :
- Measurement of the fluorescence variation of an optical sensor as a function of oxygen concentration.
- Fast technique suitable for films and flexible packaging.
Each method is chosen based on the expected level of permeability and the regulatory requirements of the sector concerned.
Technical characteristics of oxygen transmission rate (OTR) analysis
OTR analysis is characterized by several essential technical parameters:
- Measuring range : From 0.01 to several hundred cm³/m²/24h depending on the permeability of the material.
- Test temperature : From -20°C to +60°C to simulate real storage and use conditions.
- Relative humidity : Adjustable between 0% and 90% RH to replicate ambient conditions and assess the impact of humidity on permeability.
- Units of measurement : cm³/m²/24h, cm³/(pkg·24h), or cm³/L depending on specific needs.
- Reference standards : ASTM D3985, ISO 15105-2, DIN 53380, JIS K7126 ensuring reliability and comparability of results.
These parameters make it possible to obtain precise measurements adapted to the specific needs of manufacturers.
For which matrices?
OTR on a wide range of packaging materials, including:
Léa Géréec
Technical and scientific advisor
