As the European Union prepares to implement its Green Cold Chain Act targeting a 40% reduction in refrigeration-related energy use by 2030, high-barrier aseptic packaging is emerging as a viable path forward. EVOH polymer—known for its outstanding oxygen barrier properties (OTR < 0.5 cc/m²/day)—is playing a central role in this shift. Real-world data from Nestlé’s Brazil facility in 2025 showed that switching to a five-layer EVOH/PP aseptic pouch for avocado purée allowed transport temperatures to rise from –18°C to –1°C, reducing refrigeration energy use by 65%. Could this mark the beginning of a long-term reduction in cold chain infrastructure?

As the EU's 2030 plastics strategy enforces a 30% recycled content mandate, multilayer EVOH/PE structures are emerging as a regulatory benchmark for food and pharmaceutical packaging. These materials offer a critical balance of recyclability and high barrier properties. Yet, a longstanding challenge persists: the natural incompatibility between EVOH polymer’s highly polar surface (hydroxyl density >35 mol%) and the non-polar molecular structure of PE/PP continues to limit the performance of these laminates, particularly in demanding environments.

As the EU Regulation 2025/2147 tightens packaging thickness tolerances from ±5% to a stricter ≤±3% (effective in 2026), controlling the melt flow index (MFI) of EVOH resin has become a production-critical parameter. Even a ±0.5 g/10min deviation in MFI can result in film thickness variation exceeding 12% (per GB/T 13526-2025). This pressure coincides with dramatic shifts in global production capacity

With the EU’s CBAM carbon tariff entering Phase III in 2025, logistics-related emissions for chemical products now carry a surcharge of $85 per ton. Concurrently, disruptions like the Red Sea crisis have pushed global shipping rates up by 40% (Baltic Dry Index: 4,280). Meanwhile, the newly updated ISO 21898:2025 standard has raised the moisture protection requirement for FIBCs to Class 1 (WVTR ≤ 5g/m²·day). This puts traditional PE liners under immense pressure due to three growing issues

With the European Medicines Agency (EMA) set to enforce stricter regulations in 2025—mandating oxygen transmission rates (OTR) of ≤0.05 cc/m²·day and water vapor transmission rates (WVTR) of ≤0.1 g/m²·day (at 40°C/75% RH)—pharmaceutical companies are under mounting pressure to enhance packaging barrier performance.

As the EU Regulation (EU) 2025/2147 mandates oxygen transmission rates (OTR) for fresh food packaging to be no higher than 0.05 cc/m²·day, demand for low-ethylene EVOH grades (27–32 mol%) has surged by 35%. At the same time, the push for lightweight vehicle components is accelerating the adoption of high-ethylene EVOH grades (38–44 mol%). Tesla’s latest hydrogen tank system, for example, incorporates a 44 mol% EVOH grade, achieving an impact resistance over 80 kJ/m² at -40°C—50% better than conventional barrier materials.

As the EU Plastic Tax (EU 2021/1119) and EPR regulations come into full force, traditional inner liners for FIBCs (Flexible Intermediate Bulk Containers) have become a bottleneck in achieving circular economy goals due to their poor recyclability.

As a global supplier of EVOH high-barrier materials, we are transforming the entire lifecycle of liner packaging through molecular-level oxygen barrier technologies (<0.02 cm³/m²·day). From leak prevention during cross-border shipping to scalable recyclability, EVOH liners are helping businesses navigate rising sustainability demands and regulatory pressures.

As today’s consumers increasingly demand natural, pure, and effective beauty products, active ingredients like vitamin C, retinol, plant-based essential oils, and peptides have become central to premium skincare and personal care formulations. However, these potent components face a common, invisible threat: oxygen. Once oxygen infiltrates the packaging, oxidative reactions can rapidly degrade efficacy, alter scent and color, and shorten shelf life.

In response, EVOH (ethylene-vinyl alcohol copolymer) high-barrier packaging is emerging as a critical innovation, safeguarding formulation integrity and becoming the go-to solution for leading global beauty brands.