Multilayer coextrusion for packaging

Multilayer: safety, shelf life and sustainability.

As market demands grow ever more stringent, plastic containers and bottles must guarantee ever higher standards in terms of protection, shelf life and production efficiency.

Co-extrusion technology enables the production of multilayer containers with precisely calibrated barrier properties, offering packaging solutions that combine optimal performance with cost efficiency.

Monolayer VS Coextrusion

Target market:

Food & Dairy

Multilayer bottles for advanced protection and long shelf life of food products.

Personal care

Multilayer packaging combining soft-touch finishes and virgin material.

Home Care

Multilayer bottles to maximize the use of PCR in the central layer.

Motor Oil & Lubricants

Multilayer containers allowing the use of regrind plastic generated by color changes.

Agrochemical & Chemical

Multilayer (nylon) solutions to block chemical migration into PE and protect the environment.

Pharmaceutical

Multilayer packaging to increase product protection and shelf life.

Coex: 3 key advantages

Protection and shelf life

Multilayer technology is essential for sensitive and acidic products, combining UV and oxygen barriers (EVOH) to preserve product properties and extend shelf life.

High chemical resistance

Adding a nylon (polyamide) barrier layer on the inner side of the container, in contact with the liquid, prevents chemical migration through polyethylene, helping to avoid environmental dispersion.

Sustainability

Multilayer production up to COEX-6 using recycled plastic from production waste or up to 70% PCR.

Soluzioni multistrato esigenze specifiche

Multilayer solutions, specific performance.

COEX-2 allows the combination of soft-touch finishes on the outer layer and virgin plastic on the inner layer; it is often used in the cosmetics sector. Alternatively, the inner layer may contain regrind plastic or PCR, a solution frequently used for cost saving purpose.
COEX-3 enables the use of regrind or post-consumer recycled plastic (PCR) in the middle layer of containers, commonly used for home care products and lubricants. Also used for long shelf life dairy products, with a barrier to UV.
COEX-4 integrates nylon (polyamide) barrier layers to prevent chemical migration through polyethylene and thus avoid environmental dispersion; used in the chemical and agrochemical sectors.
COEX-6 is ideal for sensitive foods and pharmaceuticals, combining UV and oxygen barriers to preserve product properties and shelf life.

Check the Datasheet

Co-extrusion process stages

Watch an example of COEX bottle production

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

How can the shelf life of sensitive foods be extended?

To ensure long-term preservation of sensitive and acidic food products—such as orange juice, sauces, ketchup, or milk enriched with additives for infant nutrition—it is essential to add an oxygen barrier in EVOH in addition to the light barrier. This technology ensures maximum product protection, preserving quality, nutritional properties, and safety.

How can the dispersion of chemical substances into the environment be prevented?

In the chemical and agrochemical sectors, to block the migration of chemicals through polyethylene, containers are usually produced in COEX-4, with a nylon (polyamide) barrier layer inserted on the inner layer in contact with the chemical liquid. This reduces the risk of environmental contamination and maintains product integrity.

What is the composition of COEX-2?

Containers with a COEX-2 configuration usually consist of an outer layer with a soft-touch finish (high cost) and virgin material, allowing the overall material cost to remain low. This type of packaging is particularly widespread in the cosmetics sector, where aesthetics are a decisive factor.

Alternatively, it may consist of virgin material + masterbatch in the outer layer and virgin plastic + regrind or PCR in the inner layer, for packaging that is visually perfect on the outside and more sustainable inside—an ideal solution for lubricants.

How are COEX-3 containers structured?

COEX-3 bottles are made up of three functional layers: the inner layer in virgin material ensures clean and safe contact with the product, followed by the regrind layer, which enhances production waste and may include black masterbatch for light protection—ideal for photosensitive foods. Finally, the thicker outer layer ensures a uniform and attractive appearance, covering and harmonizing the colors of the underlying layers for optimal packaging presentation.

COEX-3 = Inner – Regrind – Outer

How are COEX-4 containers composed?

COEX-4 containers consist of four layers with different functions.
The inner layer is a nylon (polyamide) barrier, directly in contact with the chemical liquid, preventing migration through polyethylene.

This is followed by an adhesive layer, a central layer containing regrind from sprues, and finally an outer layer made of virgin polyethylene (PE) and white masterbatch to ensure a uniform aesthetic appearance.

How are COEX-6 bottles composed?

A COEX-6 bottle consists of six distinct layers: the inner layer in virgin material ensures clean contact with the product, followed by a regrind layer that enhances production waste and may provide light protection. A thin adhesive layer allows EVOH to bond with the main polymer, while the EVOH barrier layer protects the contents from oxygen, ensuring optimal preservation. Finally, the thicker outer layer enhances aesthetics and covers the underlying layers.

COEX-6 = Inner – Regrind – Adhesive – EVOH – Adhesive – Outer

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