Flexible packaging is one of the fastest growing packaging areas in the global packaging industry today. Flexible packaging offers advantages such as ease of use, portability and versatility, which is driving its growing popularity and adoption across various industries. Aluminum foil plays a vital role in flexible packaging due to its flexibility, lightweight and barrier properties. Alloy 8079 aluminum foil is one of the most commonly used foils in flexible packaging applications due to its excellent gloss, durability and printability. This article discusses why 8079 aluminum foil is well suited for flexible packaging, reviews the main types of flexible packaging in which it is used, and profiles leading manufacturers in China.
What is 8079 aluminum foil?
8079 aluminum foil is a high-purity aluminum alloy with an aluminum content between 98-99%. The primary alloying element is magnesium, which provides strength without significantly affecting formability and ductility. 8079 foil offers a unique combination of high durability, excellent barrier properties and excellent printability. These qualities make it ideal for lamination and packaging applications in the flexible packaging industry. Compared with ordinary or high-strength pure aluminum foil, 8079 aluminum foil has better surface smoothness, clarity and printing clarity. Prints and graphics on 8079 foil are devoid of any streaks or lines, delivering unparalleled brightness and visual impact. Foil thickness can be as thin as 6 microns but can also be supplied on reels in thicknesses up to 100 microns depending on packaging requirements.
Why is 8079 aluminum foil popular in flexible packaging?
8079 aluminum foil has become the first choice for flexible packaging manufacturers for the following reasons:
Excellent barrier properties
Aluminum foil is known as one of the best barrier materials. It blocks light, air, moisture, grease, bacteria, and provides a complete gas barrier. 8079 aluminum foil improves on aluminum’s already legendary barrier properties with an ultra-smooth, high-purity composition. This helps protect the product and extend its shelf life.
Durability and strength
The small amount of magnesium alloy in 8079 foil enhances its mechanical properties without affecting formability. As a result, 8079 foil is not only highly ductile but also 50% stronger than pure aluminum foil of the same thickness. The additional durability of 8079 foil helps it better withstand the stress of high-speed packaging lines and protect products during shipping and storage.
Excellent printability
The ultra-smooth surface and clarity of 8079 foil are ideal for premium printing and coating applications. Virtually any printing technology (e.g. flexo, offset, inkjet, hot stamping) can be used on 8079 foil with excellent print clarity and no distortion. Vivid, high-resolution graphics make 8079 foil an excellent advertising medium on food, consumer product and pharmaceutical packaging.
heat resistance
While aluminum foil is inherently heat resistant, 8079 aluminum foil exhibits even greater heat resistance due to its magnesium alloy. This allows for applications involving heat sealing, thermal transfer printing or where the product within the package needs to be kept hot or warm.
recyclability
Aluminum foil is one of the most recyclable materials in the world, with a global recycling rate of 75%. The composition of 8079 foil makes reprocessing and remelting nearly effortless, taking recycling to the next level. This improves the sustainability credentials of flexible packaging films containing 8079 foil.
Key Flexible Packaging Applications Using 8079 Foil
Due to the unique properties of 8079 aluminum foil, it is widely used in various types of flexible packaging, such as:
Laminated packaging
In a laminate construction, the 8079 foil layer acts as a barrier component sandwiched between film, paper, or other substrates. Common applications include cookies, crackers, snack wrappers and foil snack bags, where the 8079 aluminum foil layer provides grease resistance and extends shelf life. Laminated packaging for fresh and frozen meat, poultry also uses 8079 foil due to its high barrier properties.
bag
Stand-up pouches used to hold powdered foods such as coffee and condiments or liquids such as gravies and soups benefit from 8079 foil laminate. The foil layer blocks oxygen and moisture, while the clear film allows the product to be visible. Reclosable zipper bags for snack foods are also often laminated with 8079 aluminum foil.
Coils and coils
Butcher wrap, kitchen roll, wax paper and greaseproof paper often contain an ultra-thin layer of 8079 foil for barrier and print properties. The foil coating on the packaging imparts stiffness for easy dispensing yet is highly formable for packaging applications.
Blister packaging
Pharmaceuticals and small consumer products come in 8-count blister packs made from formable high-barrier 8079 foil that is thermoformed to create a cavity. 8079 foil has excellent printability and product information can be printed directly on the foil surface.
cover film
Pre-cut round 8079 foil lidding films are thermoformed and sealed over containers, tubs, trays and cups to provide an oxygen and moisture barrier. Peel-off lidding film allows easy opening while maintaining product freshness.
China's leading 8079 aluminum foil manufacturer
China is one of the world's largest producers and consumers of aluminum foil and has a strong flexible packaging industry focused on export markets.
Factors to consider when choosing an 8079 aluminum foil supplier.
When sourcing 8079 aluminum foil in flat rolls or laminated/coated solutions, there are several key factors to consider to ensure a reliable and high-quality supplier:
Comply with global food contact standards such as FDA and EU material composition regulations
Manufacturer approval, quality certification and sustainability certificates
Production Capacity and the Ability to Meet Volume Commitments
Experience and expertise in Class 8079 foil and flexible packaging applications
Reputation and reliability based on existing customer references
Get closer to target markets, shorten delivery times and increase supply chain flexibility
Pricing transparency and competitive costs for 8079 foil solutions
Customer service, technical support and custom product development capabilities
On-time delivery performance history and logistics network coverage
Benefits of purchasing 8079 aluminum foil from China
China offers some compelling advantages when sourcing 8079 aluminum foil, whether as regular foil rolls or as laminated films and prefabricated packaging:
Cost advantage
Chinese manufacturers have experienced significantly lower production costs due to economies of scale, lower raw material prices and labor costs. This cost advantage manifests itself in the form of competitive 8079 foil pricing.
huge domestic demand
It has one of the largest aluminum and flexible packaging industries in the world, driving huge local demand for goods and solutions. This allows Chinese suppliers to stay ahead while keeping unit costs low.
Mature supply chain infrastructure
China's well-established raw material supply chain, extensive manufacturing ecosystem, efficient logistics, and large port infrastructure facilitate on-time delivery of 8079 aluminum foil products.
Industry experience and expertise
Decades of experience supplying aluminum foil to the domestic and international flexible packaging/laminate markets means Chinese suppliers have deep application knowledge.
