EVOH
Ethylene vinyl alcohol copolymer — Delivers a high oxygen and gas barrier. Extends shelf life in multilayer film, thermoformed containers, pipe and bottle structures.
Technical view
What is EVOH and what is it for?
EVOH is a semi-crystalline copolymer of ethylene and vinyl alcohol units, and it offers the highest oxygen barrier of any commercially used polymer. Barrier performance is directly linked to ethylene content: a lower ethylene content strengthens the oxygen barrier, while a higher one improves processability and moisture resistance. Choosing the right ethylene content is often the decision that sets the balance between gauge and cost.
Because EVOH is moisture-sensitive it is never used alone but always placed between polyolefin layers. As there is no chemical affinity between EVOH and polyolefins, a MAH-grafted tie layer is required to bond them. Sourcing the barrier and the tie layer from the same supplier removes most delamination and interface problems during line trials.
Typical uses are extending shelf life, preventing aroma loss and down-gauging in food packaging; oxygen diffusion barrier in underfloor heating pipe; and limiting solvent permeation in fuel tanks and chemical packaging.
- Highest oxygen barrier available
- Grade choice by ethylene content
- Supplied together with the tie layer
- Enables down-gauging
Where it is used
Position in the structure
EVOH is used in the applications below. You can see the layer-by-layer structure in the application finder.
Same group
Other polymers in Barrier & Tie
Frequently asked questions
Common questions
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