Glossary

• AA blockers : acetaldehyde is a natural compound of some foodstuffs such as citrus fruits, ripe fruits and coffee. Acetaldehyde is also produced in a minimal quantity during the PET production process. Acetaldehyde, which has a pronounced sour taste, can modify a product’s taste in certain cases, and especially in the case of mineral waters. An AA blocker reduces the acetaldehyde retained in the PET in order to eliminate any modification in the flavour of the product.
• Additive : product that is added to the body of the packaging to improve its characteristics and properties (colour, barrier, etc).
• Aluminized plastic : plastic film covered by a thin layer of aluminium. Mainly used for food packages, crisps bags, yoghurt covers, etc.
• Barrier : additive placed in the body of the packaging and which acts as a brake on transfers of gas, UV rays, moisture, etc.
• CaCO³ : calcium carbonate (or lime) is a mineral which can be added occasionally as an inert load in a thermoplastic.
• Closure liner : ring attached to the cap, which guarantees the inviolability of the packaging.
• Density : ratio of the mass of a certain volume of a material to the mass of the same volume of water (density of water = 1).
• Drinks carton : laminated material made of cardboard, polyethylene and possibly aluminium.
• Eddy current : current produced by electromagnetic induction and which, when created in aluminium or drinks cartons containing aluminium, enables to extract them from a mixed flow.
• EPS : expanded polystyrene (also called frigolite).
• EVA : ethylene vinyl acetate (excellent barrier to moisture).
• EVOH (ethylene vinyl alcohol) : thanks to its exceptional barrier properties, EVOH is used as a barrier against transfers of oxygen in much food packaging. .
  
• Flotation : procedure of separating materials with different densities (above or below 1).
• Foamed PET : film made of polyethylene terephtalate foam with a thickness of less than 1 g/cm³, which makes it possible to separate the film from the PET bottle by flotation during the recycling process.
  
• Full body sleeve : 360° decorative film which envelopes the packaging throughout its length and which takes its shape when heated.
• HDPE (high-density polyethylene) : polymer which is mainly used to manufacture household flasks and milk bottles.
• LDPE : low density polyethylene.
• LLDPE : linear low density polyethylene.
• MDPE : medium density polyethylene.
• Monolayer blends :mix of an additive to a monolayer material.
• Nanocomposite : inorganic particle with a nanometric diameter which can act as a barrier within a material itself.
• O² scavenger : these are small sachets or labels, containing iron powder, placed in packaging with a modified atmosphere. They extend a product’s lifespan and improve its appearance. They act by absorbing the oxygen located in the packaging by oxidation.
• OPP : oriented polypropylene (OPP is a variant on pure polypropylene).
• PA (polyamide) : polymer which is most generally presented under a semi-crystalline structure; nylon is the best known example.
• PE : polyethylene.
• PET (polyethylene terephtalate) : polymer mainly used to manufacture drinks bottles, containers, boxes and jars.
• PETG : polyethylene terephtalate glycol (a high degree of transparency and extremely easily to thermo-shape)..
  
• Plasma coating : a technology which makes it possible to cover the interior of a plastic bottle with a very fine layer of glass or carbon. This layer forms an additional barrier to CO² and oxygen, which improves the conservation of the packaged product.  
• PP (polypropylene) : polymer mainly used for the manufacture of containers, flasks and jars.
• PS : polystyrene.
• PVC (polyvinyl chloride) : polymer mainly used to manufacture blister packaging, films, containers and food boxes.
• PVDC : polyvinylidene chloride (excellent barrier material).
• Seal : thin cover adhering to the packaging.
• Sleeve : the sleeve label is a heat-shrinking plastic membrane which reacts with heat to hug the shapes of packaging, whatever its design.
  
• Thermosets : this is a plastic which hardens rather than softens when the temperature increases in contrast to thermoplastics (like PET and HDPE). Thermosets plastics therefore cannot be treated with thermoplastics.
• UV stabilisers : these are organic additives which protect products that are sensitive to ultra-violet rays against modifications in taste, odour and/or colour, which are the consequence of oxidation caused by UV rays.