PVC/EVOH/LDPE High-Barrier Rigid Sheet for Medical Packaging

PVC/EVOH/LDPE High-Barrier Rigid Sheet for Medical & Pharma Packaging

Wallis supplies PVC/EVOH/LDPE high-barrier rigid sheet for pharmaceutical, medical, diagnostic, nutraceutical and specialty healthcare packaging applications. The multilayer structure combines a rigid PVC forming layer, an EVOH oxygen-barrier layer and an LDPE sealing layer to provide a balance of thermoforming performance, gas protection and heat-seal functionality.

The material can be supplied in rolls or pre-cut sheets with customized thickness, width, color, opacity and layer construction. It can be evaluated for thermoformed cavities, rigid trays, unit-dose packaging, diagnostic reagent packaging and other converted packaging formats.

For pharmaceutical and medical applications, final material selection should be based on the required oxygen transmission rate, water-vapor transmission rate, forming depth, sealing system, packaged formulation, sterilization process and destination-market regulatory requirements. Physical qualification of the complete package is recommended before commercial production.

How the PVC/EVOH/LDPE Multilayer Structure Works

A multilayer packaging structure combines different polymers because no single material provides optimum rigidity, oxygen barrier, moisture protection, sealing and processing performance for every application.

PVC Layer – Rigidity & Thermoforming Support

PVC forms the primary rigid or semi-rigid structural layer. It provides dimensional stability and supports heating, cavity formation, cutting and other packaging-conversion processes.

EVOH Layer – High Oxygen & Gas Barrier

EVOH is primarily selected for its very low oxygen and gas permeability. Incorporating a relatively thin EVOH barrier layer can significantly improve the oxygen-barrier performance of a multilayer package compared with conventional commodity polymers.

EVOH barrier performance is affected by humidity, so the EVOH layer is normally protected inside the multilayer structure rather than being used as an exposed moisture-barrier layer.

LDPE Layer – Heat Sealing & Moisture Protection

LDPE can function as a sealing layer and can help protect the EVOH barrier from moisture exposure. The final moisture-barrier performance depends on LDPE thickness, the complete laminate structure and the environmental conditions used for testing.

PVC/EVOH/LDPE Technical Specifications

The following values represent the current typical Wallis product range. Final tolerances, layer ratios and functional performance should be confirmed for each medical or pharmaceutical packaging project.

PVC/EVOH/LDPE Composite Rigid Sheet

PVC/EVOH/LDPE Pharmaceutical Packaging

Understanding Oxygen Barrier vs Moisture Barrier

Oxygen barrier and moisture barrier are different packaging properties and should be specified separately. A material described simply as “high barrier” does not provide enough technical information for pharmaceutical packaging selection.

EVOH Primarily Controls Oxygen Transmission

EVOH is used primarily because of its excellent resistance to oxygen and other gas transmission. This can be valuable for products susceptible to oxidative degradation.

Moisture Protection Comes from the Complete Structure

EVOH itself is sensitive to moisture. LDPE and other surrounding polymer layers help isolate EVOH from water and contribute to the total moisture-barrier performance of the finished laminate.

High Moisture Barrier May Require Another Structure

Highly hygroscopic pharmaceutical products may require stronger water-vapor protection than a standard PVC/EVOH/LDPE structure can provide. Depending on stability data, a PVDC-, PCTFE- or other specialized high-moisture-barrier construction may need to be evaluated.

OTR & WVTR: Specify Measurable Barrier Targets

Oxygen Transmission Rate – OTR

OTR measures oxygen permeation through the packaging structure under defined conditions. Buyers should provide the target value together with test temperature, relative humidity, test area and applicable method.

Water Vapor Transmission Rate – WVTR

WVTR measures water-vapor transmission and should be specified independently from OTR. Required WVTR depends on product moisture sensitivity and expected storage environment.

Compare Barrier Data Only Under Matching Test Conditions

OTR and WVTR values can change significantly with temperature, humidity and material thickness. Supplier values should therefore be compared only when the test conditions are equivalent.

Formed-Pack Barrier May Differ from Flat-Sheet Barrier

Thermoforming stretches the multilayer material and reduces layer thickness at cavity walls and corners. For critical applications, barrier performance should be evaluated on the formed package as well as on the original flat sheet.

Key Advantages of PVC/EVOH/LDPE High-Barrier Sheet

High Oxygen-Barrier Performance

The EVOH layer significantly reduces oxygen permeation compared with conventional commodity polymer structures and can support packaging development for oxygen-sensitive products.

Rigid Thermoformable PVC Base

PVC provides a stable structural base for thermoforming, helping create rigid cavities, trays and other converted packaging components.

Integrated LDPE Sealing Layer

The LDPE layer creates a functional sealant surface and can be matched to suitable lidding or mating structures after seal testing.

Transparent High-Barrier Packaging

Transparent structures can provide product visibility while maintaining an EVOH oxygen-barrier layer. Colored and opaque versions can also be discussed for projects requiring a different visual appearance.

Custom Multilayer Construction

Total thickness and individual layer proportions can be evaluated according to required stiffness, barrier level, cavity geometry, sealing conditions and converting process.

Heat-Sealing Performance of the LDPE Layer

Heat-seal performance depends on the complete sealing system. LDPE can provide an effective sealant layer, but seal strength cannot be predicted from the polymer name alone.

Confirm the Mating Lidding Material

Buyers should provide the exact aluminum foil, laminated film, peelable lidding or other mating structure because different sealants and coatings require different conditions.

Define the Sealing Window

Seal initiation temperature, dwell time, pressure and line speed should be established using the actual packaging machine and lidding material.

Validate Finished-Pack Integrity

Finished packages should be checked for seal strength, channels, leakage and integrity under expected transportation and storage conditions.

Thermoforming & Deep-Draw Performance

PVC/EVOH/LDPE can be developed for thermoformed packaging, but the complete layer structure should be evaluated under the intended forming conditions.

Forming Temperature

Heating conditions must allow sufficient PVC forming while avoiding damage to the laminate interface or excessive distortion of the finished part.

Cavity Depth & Draw Ratio

Deeper cavities create greater material stretching. Provide cavity width, length, depth and corner geometry when evaluating a new multilayer specification.

Barrier Retention After Forming

Critical oxygen-sensitive products should be evaluated using formed-package barrier testing because EVOH thickness can vary across the cavity after stretching.

Check for Delamination

The laminate should be examined after forming for interlayer separation, whitening, cracking or other structural changes before commercial approval.

Recommended Medical & Pharmaceutical Packaging Applications

Pharmaceutical Solid-Dosage Packaging

PVC/EVOH/LDPE can be evaluated for tablets, capsules and other solid-dosage products where oxygen protection, forming behavior and seal integrity are important. Highly moisture-sensitive products should be evaluated separately against stronger moisture-barrier structures.

Diagnostic Reagent Packaging

Diagnostic reagents and test components can benefit from oxygen-barrier packaging, but compatibility should be verified with the actual reagent formulation, contact layer and intended storage conditions.

Pharmaceutical Liquid & Unit-Dose Packaging

Selected liquid or unit-dose packaging applications can be evaluated where the LDPE contact layer, seal design and chemical compatibility are appropriate for the formulation.

Medical Trays & Healthcare Components

The rigid multilayer structure can be evaluated for medical or healthcare trays requiring thermoforming and oxygen-barrier performance. Sterile medical-device packaging requires separate qualification of the complete package and sterilization process.

Nutraceutical & Supplement Packaging

Oxygen-sensitive vitamins, supplements and nutraceutical formulations can be candidates for EVOH-based packaging when the complete barrier specification matches the product-stability requirement.

PVC/EVOH/LDPE Pharmaceutical Packaging

PVC/EVOH/LDPE Medical Packaging

Pharmaceutical Solid Dosage & Liquids

Capsule Packaging

PVC/EVOH/LDPE vs Other Pharmaceutical Barrier Structures

Product-Contact & Chemical Compatibility

A multilayer packaging sheet should not be described as universally compatible with all pharmaceuticals, solvents, oils, diagnostic reagents or biologic formulations. Compatibility depends on the exact contact layer and packaged product.

Identify the Product-Contact Layer

Where LDPE is the product-contact surface, its exact grade, additives and compatibility should be evaluated according to the packaged formulation.

Test the Actual Formulation

Liquids, reagents, oils and solvent-containing formulations should be tested for swelling, stress cracking, extraction, migration, discoloration and changes in seal or barrier performance.

Shelf Life Must Be Validated by the Product Manufacturer

High-barrier packaging can contribute to product protection, but the packaging material itself cannot guarantee a specific pharmaceutical shelf life. Final shelf life should be established through the manufacturer's stability program.

Sterilization Compatibility Must Be Verified

Sterilization suitability depends on the exact PVC/EVOH/LDPE construction and the sterilization technology. Do not assume one structure is automatically compatible with steam, dry heat, ethylene oxide, gamma radiation, electron beam or other processes.

Buyers should provide sterilization temperature, pressure, radiation dose, exposure time and number of cycles where applicable. The finished package should then be checked for deformation, discoloration, delamination, seal-strength change and barrier retention.

Quality & Regulatory Documentation

Medical and pharmaceutical packaging qualification should be based on documentation for the exact material grade purchased. A general statement such as “medical grade” or “pharmaceutical grade” does not replace application-specific regulatory review.

Technical Data Sheet

Buyers should request a technical specification covering the exact structure, thickness, tolerance, width and relevant functional properties.

Batch-Specific Certificate of Analysis

Where required by the customer's quality system, the actual production batch should be supported by the agreed COA rather than relying on a certificate from a different material structure.

Related PVC / PVDC Reference Documents

The existing Wallis page includes the following PVC and PVDC reference documents. Because this product is PVC/EVOH/LDPE rather than PVC/PVDC, buyers should request documents specifically applicable to the actual PVC/EVOH/LDPE grade being qualified.

           COA-PVC.pdf    

           COA-PVDC.pdf    

Sample Testing Before Commercial Production

OTR Testing

Confirm oxygen-barrier performance under the test conditions relevant to the finished product and storage environment.

WVTR Testing

Measure water-vapor transmission independently where the pharmaceutical formulation is moisture sensitive.

Thermoforming Trial

Evaluate cavity formation, thickness distribution, whitening, cracking and interlayer stability on the intended forming equipment.

Heat-Seal Trial

Test the exact LDPE surface together with the intended lidding material to establish a practical production sealing window.

Product Compatibility Test

Direct-contact applications should be tested using the actual pharmaceutical, diagnostic or healthcare formulation.

Finished-Pack Stability Test

Packaging qualification should include representative storage, transportation and stability conditions before the material is approved for commercial use.

Custom PVC/EVOH/LDPE Sheets for B2B & OEM Projects

Custom Total Thickness

Total thickness can be discussed within the production range according to stiffness, cavity geometry and final packaging construction.

Custom EVOH Barrier Layer

The EVOH layer should be designed according to the required oxygen-barrier target rather than selecting an arbitrary thickness ratio.

Custom LDPE Sealing Layer

LDPE thickness and grade can be evaluated according to the lidding material, sealing method and product-contact requirements.

Custom Roll Width & Sheet Size

Roll widths and pre-cut dimensions can be matched to thermoforming, sealing and converting equipment within the available production range.

Custom Color & Opacity

Transparent, white, yellow, transparent orange and customized colors can be discussed. Light-protection requirements should be defined separately where pharmaceutical photostability is important.

What Information Should Buyers Provide for a Quotation?

Packaged Product

Identify whether the package contains tablets, capsules, powders, diagnostic reagents, liquids, medical components or another product.

Required Structure

Provide PVC/EVOH/LDPE layer requirements or the current TDS if replacing an existing material.

Total Thickness & Layer Ratio

Specify the target total thickness and individual layer requirements if already established.

Target OTR

Provide the required oxygen transmission rate together with temperature, relative humidity and test method.

Target WVTR

Provide the required water-vapor transmission rate and relevant test conditions where moisture protection is critical.

Roll Width or Sheet Dimensions

Specify roll width, sheet size, core size and maximum roll dimensions according to the converting equipment.

Thermoforming Conditions

Include forming-machine model, cavity dimensions, draw depth and existing temperature range where available.

Lidding & Heat-Seal Conditions

Identify the mating lidding material together with sealing temperature, pressure, dwell time and production speed.

Sterilization Process

If applicable, provide sterilization method, temperature or radiation dose, exposure time and cycle requirements.

Regulatory Requirements

Provide the destination country and applicable pharmaceutical, medical-device, product-contact or customer-specific documentation requirements.

Estimated Order Quantity

Include sample quantity, qualification quantity, initial bulk order and expected annual purchasing volume where available.

Pharmaceutical Packaging Production

Pharmaceutical Material Packaging Production Line

Customer Cooperation

Customer Cooperation

International B2B Cooperation

Exhibition Photos

Packaging Exhibition

Pharmaceutical Packaging Exhibition

Customer Reviews

FAQ About PVC/EVOH/LDPE High-Barrier Rigid Sheet

Looking for a PVC/EVOH/LDPE Medical Packaging Supplier?

Send Wallis your required structure, thickness, width, OTR/WVTR targets, cavity dimensions, sealing system, product-contact requirements and estimated purchasing quantity. We can discuss customized PVC/EVOH/LDPE rigid sheets for pharmaceutical, diagnostic and medical packaging projects.

If you are replacing an existing high-barrier material, provide the current TDS, formed package or reference sample so barrier, thermoforming and sealing requirements can be evaluated before commercial production.