Cellophane means a thin, transparent cellulose material which his manufactured using the viscose process and used in food packaging, such as candy, cheese, and baked food. Other includes for fresh produce and processed meat.
It is also used as adhesive tapes, and membranes for industrial uses, such as batteries.
It is an old material, flimsy and opaque and requires further treatments to render it transparent, soft and plastic. This treatment includes coating with metal or other chemicals to alter its permeability to air and water.
Cellophane has been produced since the 1930s. It is obtained by treating sulfite paper pulp with sulfur dioxide and carbon disulfide that transform the cellulose into a viscous material called viscosa. Then the viscose is extruded throughout a slit to form a sheet.
Cellophane was a favorite packaging material with potato chippers for many years. It provides sparkle and certain degree of ‘body’ to the package.
The disadvantage is that in the past it has been poor performance at low temperature and its limited shelf life. It will dry out under low humidity conditions cause package failure.
However the film is excellent for high moisture products as it allows for respiration and reduces fogging.
What is cellophane?
