Developing laminations for the microwave
Emerald Packaging has used both its laser microperforation and hot needle perforation capabilities to
create microwave packaging for several industries, including baby carrots, frozen food and fresh potatoes.
A few years ago, we developed a package for Wada Farms through our distributor Idaho Packaging that allowed
customers to microwave two pounds of potatoes producing a ready-to-eat meal. Our customer selected a laminated
structure in order to increase shelf appeal and we suggested hot needle perforation as the best route
to allow steam to escape as the potatoes cooked.
With carrots and frozen food we've taken different routes. Emerald Packaging produces a microwave
baby carrot package for Grimmway Farms using a three-layer film approved for microwave use that we
surface print with heat resistent inks. Since achieving the correct oxygen/carbon dioxide balance is
important to maintaining the shelf life of baby carrots, we use laser microperforation for this package.
Given the ease of steaming baby carrots as opposed to potatoes, the laser holes are more than big enough
to allow for cooking - even though you can't see the holes. We use our laser microperforator for frozen food
microwavable packages, usually laminated flexible packages so their graphics stand out in the freezer section. Here,
laser holes, or even slits in one layer of film, are preferable in order to prevent the freezer burn that would
occur if larger hot needle holes were used.