Project R-14392

Gas permeability, an essential material property in research and development. (Research)

For companies, the measurement of this material characteristic is important e.g. in their annual quality controls, the positioning of their new developments in relation to their current materials, ... In the near future, the possibility of performing these material analyses will become even more important for companies and research institutes because the upcoming European legislation on packaging waste (Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulations (PPWR, Revision of Directive 94/62/EC: https://environment.ec.europa.eu/publications/proposal-packaging-and-packaging-waste_en ) directs companies towards the development and commercialization of innovative, sustainable (!) (packaging) materials. Objectives of this legislation are 'reduce packaging & packaging waste; promote reuse & recycling (circular economy); promote use of recycled content' aimed at reducing the huge mountain of packaging waste. In 1998, the 'Packaging Center' was established with the then ERDF funds (+/-2 million €). Today, 25 years later, this test center for (packaging) materials has grown into the esteemed analysis center MPR&S (Materials and Packaging Research & Services) with an important expertise is physical/mechanical characterization. Analyzing gas permeability is the unique spearhead of MPR&S. It is a material property that is important in various industrial sectors such as food, pharma, automotive, ... Worldwide, this property is primarily measured with MOCON modules; international standards have been developed for this purpose. The MOCON modules for oxygen and water vapor purchased in 1998 are no longer maintained by the supplier. These old modules should be replaced by equivalent, newly developed modules in order to remain the distinctive and specialized lab with expertise.

21 August 2023 - 31 December 2023