Foil barrier laminate
Foil barrier laminate is a pouch film with an aluminum foil layer bonded inside, usually PET/AL/PE, which gives the highest oxygen, moisture and odor barrier of the Tria films. It is the film for roasted coffee, supplements and cannabis, and on smell-proof and supplement pouches it runs 4 to 5 mil. The foil is opaque, so there is no clear window; metallized film is the lighter alternative and reduces odor rather than blocking it.
Foil barrier laminate at a glance
| Structure | PET/AL/PE: print layer, aluminum foil, PE seal layer |
|---|---|
| Thickness | 4 to 5 mil on smell-proof and supplement pouches |
| Barrier | Highest oxygen, moisture and odor barrier we offer |
| Look | Opaque; printed, black or white outer |
| Windows | Not possible; the foil is opaque |
| Lighter option | Metallized PET/PE, which reduces odor rather than blocking it |
| Kraft version | Kraft/AL/PE on coffee bags with valve |
When to choose it, and when not to
Choose foil laminate when shelf life is the product: roasted coffee with a degassing valve, powders and capsules, cannabis in a smell-proof bag, anything that goes stale or rancid with oxygen. It is also the honest choice when odor containment is the point.
Skip it when the product needs to be seen, because a window is impossible, and for dry goods with modest shelf-life needs, where matte barrier laminate is lighter and costs less. For a natural look over a foil core, ask for kraft/AL/PE, or see kraft PE laminate.
Read nextProducts made with foil barrier laminate
These are the products whose pages list foil barrier laminate as a material that suits them. Across these products, all start at 200 units, with lead times of 10 to 14 business days after proof approval. Each product page states its own.
Also offered in foil barrier laminate: spouted pouch.
Questions about foil barrier laminate
Foil or metallized film?
Foil has a solid aluminum layer and gives the strongest barrier; it blocks odor. Metallized film has a thin vapor-deposited metal coating; it is lighter and reduces odor rather than blocking it.
Can a foil pouch have a clear window?
No. The aluminum layer is opaque. If the product must be visible, use a clear PET/PE or matte barrier laminate and accept the lower barrier.
Is foil laminate right for coffee?
Yes, with a one-way degassing valve so fresh roasted beans can release carbon dioxide without letting oxygen in.
How thick is a foil barrier pouch?
Smell-proof and supplement pouches run 4 to 5 mil. Other pouch styles are specified on the quote for the product and size.
Hold it before you choose
The Swatch Book is a free set of board, wrap and finish samples, so you can feel foil barrier laminate next to the alternatives before you decide. Name the materials you are weighing in the request. When you are ready, send the size and quantity for a quote and a dieline, usually within one business day, with a complimentary digital proof on every order.