AMOSORB(R) oxygen scavenging concentrates for rigid containers, flexible films, and closure liners

AMOSORB(R) oxygen scavengers are a family of plastic concentrates developed by Amoco Chemicals that absorb oxygen in food and beverage packages. These scavengers can be incorporated into a range of package structures including the sidewall or lid of rigid containers, flexible films, and closure liners. The resulting package structure not only absorbs the oxygen initially present in the headspace and entrapped in the food or beverage, but also absorbs any oxygen that permeates into the package over time. It can be incorporated easily in multilayer food packaging systems. Without major changes in the current package design, an inconspicuous package change of adding a small amount of our scavenger can dramatically increase the shelf-life of the product and improve product quality. During the past several years, out developmental activities with the oxygen scavenger concentrate have been ongoing with numerous converters and food and beverage processors under confidentiality agreements. Amoco Chemicals, along with Cadillac Products and the U.S. Army Natick Research Development and Engineering Center (SSCOM) were presented in October, 1996, the 10th annual DuPont Award for Innovative Packaging for a ''Meal Ready-to-Eat'' (MRE) package system containing The oxygen scavenger concentrate. The application was for a 3 year shelf-life bread. This same package won the Flexible Packaging Association's annual award in March, 1997, for ''breaking technical and packaging barriers to create new concepts in flexible packaging.'' in addition, Cadillac Products was presented the Flexible Packaging Association's President's Award for their Amosorb oxygen scavenger-based film.