22/08/2026
🟢 ALUMINIUM FOIL vs METALLIZED FILM — They Look Similar, But They’re NOT the Same!
Many people see a shiny silver packaging and assume it contains aluminium foil. Actually, it could be metallized film — and the difference can affect barrier performance, shelf life and cost.
🔍 ALUMINIUM FOIL (AL / ALU)
This is a real thin layer of aluminium metal laminated together with other packaging films.
✅ Extremely high barrier against oxygen, moisture and light
✅ Suitable for products requiring longer shelf life / stronger protection
✅ Excellent light barrier
⚠️ Generally higher material cost
⚠️ Usually less transparent to metal detection and some inspection systems
Common structures:
PET / AL / LLDPE
PET / AL / PET / LLDPE
🔍 METALLIZED FILM (VMPET / VMCPP)
This is a plastic film coated with a very thin layer of aluminium, usually through vacuum metallization.
✅ Good barrier performance
✅ Attractive metallic appearance
✅ Lighter and generally more economical than aluminium foil
✅ Commonly used for snacks, coffee, confectionery, powders and many dry foods
⚠️ Barrier is generally lower than a properly designed aluminium-foil laminate
Common structures:
PET / VMPET / LLDPE
OPP / VMPET / LLDPE
💡 So which one should you choose?
Don’t choose packaging material just because it looks silver.
The right structure depends on your product, required shelf life, filling process, storage conditions, sealing requirements and budget.
Sometimes aluminium foil is necessary.
Sometimes metallized film already gives sufficient protection — at a more economical cost.
👉 Good packaging is not about using the most expensive material. It’s about using the RIGHT material for the product.
📦 Talk to Ornapack about the right flexible packaging structure for your product.
Ornapack — From Simple to Super.
