EVAL™
Eval™ / EVAL™
EVAL™ - World’s First EVOH Resin
Pioneering gas barrier technology to protect product freshness, safety, and extended shelf life.
About EVAL™
Since its inception in 1972, Kuraray has been the leader in gas barrier technology, pioneering the production and enhancement of ethylene vinyl alcohol copolymer (EVOH). Under the brand name EVAL™, Kuraray boasts diverse grade range of EVOH resin globally.
A mere 1mm thickness of EVAL™ equates to the gas barrier capabilities of a 10-meter wall made of LDPE. Even a thin layer of EVAL™ can significantly enhance the barrier properties of composite layers. Incorporating EVAL™ in multilayered designs presents a transparent, lightweight, and robust alternative to traditional materials like glass and metal.
Industries Used
EVAL™ finds its application in various sectors, from food packaging to automotive fuel tanks and medical containers to agricultural films. It’s a versatile solution tailored for diverse industry needs.
The dual-directional barrier function of EVAL™ prevents harmful oxygen and contaminants from reaching sensitive products and also acts as a sealant, preserving the aroma and value within. The dual functionality makes EVAL™ an ideal choice for sectors that demand high-quality protection, such as food, medical, pharmaceutical, and healthcare packaging.
With EVAL™, food stays fresh and protected. It’s a top choice for packaging a wide variety of edibles.
For vehicles, EVAL™ ensures fuel tanks don’t leak, contributing to long-lasting performance and safety.
Appropriate for use in industrial piping systems and versatile building & construction barriers.
EVAL™ safeguards agrochemicals to enhance soil fumigation, ensuring quality and safety at every step.
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Applications
Food packaging materials
Medical packaging materials
Automotive plastic fuel tanks
Under-floor heating pipes
Containers for agrochemicals
Soil fumigating films
Vacuum insulation panels
Districted energy pipes
Standard grades and properties
Molecular structure of EVAL™ resin – EVAL™ is a random copolymer of ethylene and vinyl alcohol. It’s a crystalline polymer that has a molecular structure, as represented by the formula on the right. EVAL™ resin combines the humidity resistance and easy processing of ethylene with the exceptional gas barrier and resistance to organic solvents of vinyl alcohol.
Available types of EVAL™ resin – We have developed different types of EVAL™ resin. Each type offers different useful characteristics, based on the ethylene mol% content.
EVAL™ M type
This type has the lowest ethylene content available; it provides the highest barrier for automotive and flexible applications.
EVAL™ L type
This type has a very low ethylene content and is suitable as an ultra-high barrier in flexible, bottle and sheet applications.
EVAL™ F type
This type offers superior barrier performance with long-term process stability and is widely used as the standard grade for flexible, automotive, bottle and tube applications. Specific versions exist for coating and pipe applications.
EVAL™ J Type
This type offers superior thermoforming performances and can be used for deep-draw or sensitive sheet-based applications.
EVAL™ H type
This type combines high-barrier properties to long-term stability and thermoformability. The higher ethylene content allows easier processing and longer running times on older co-extrusion equipment, especially for blown flexible structures.
EVAL™ E type
This type has a higher ethylene content that allows for greater flexibility and even easier processing.
EVAL™ G type
This type has the highest ethylene content, making it the best candidate among standard types of EVAL™ types for stretch and shrink film applications.
| Grade | Ethylene content (mol%) | Density1 (g/cm3) | MFR2 (g/10 min) | Melting point (ºC) | Glass transition point3 (ºC) | Oxygen transmission rate4 (cm3・20μm/m3・day・atm) | Applications |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| L171B | 27 | 1.21 | 4.05 | 190 | 63 | 0.1 | High barriers |
| F101B | 32 | 1.19 | 1.6 | 183 | 60 | 0.3 | Fuel tanks, bottles, tubes |
| F171B | 32 | 1.19 | 1.6 | 183 | 60 | 0.3 | Bottles, sheets, film, tubes |
| H171B | 38 | 1.17 | 1.7 | 172 | 56 | 0.7 | Bottles, sheets, film, tubes |
| E105B | 44 | 1.14 | 5.5 | 165 | 53 | 1.9 | Sheets, film, tubes |
| G156B | 48 | 1.12 | 6.4 | 157 | 50 | 3.7 | Stretch film, shrink film |
1. 20ºC 2. 190ºC, 2,160 g 3. Dry 4. 20ºC×65%RH, ISO14663-2 annex C 5. 210ºC, 2,160 g
Key Characteristics
- Superior Gas and Aroma Shielding: EVAL™ offers protection against gases and odors. In perspective, a 1 mm layer of EVAL™ provides the same barrier as a 10,000 mm layer of LDPE (a common plastic).
- Waste Reduction and Value Protection: It helps in minimizing waste and also maintain the quality of the products. By using EVAL™, you’re ensuring that the contents inside the packaging remain in their best condition, reducing the chances of them going to waste.
- Protection Against Chemicals and Vapors: Resilience of EVAL™ against various chemicals, oils, and even fuel vapors ensures that the packaging remains intact and the contents inside are unaffected.
- Compliance with Food Safety Standards: EVAL™ adheres to FDA and ensuring optimal protection and safe storage for food items. The commitment underscores its dedication to consumer health.
- Safe, Sustainable, and Eco-friendly: Green packaging solutions of EVAL™ are safe for consumers and recyclable, promoting environmental sustainability with every use.
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