An oxygen barrier system engineered to enable fully recyclable, fully protective PET packaging for oxygen sensitive beverages and foods is possible with HyGuardâ„¢ from ColorMatrix. This revolutionary new technology will allow significant advances to be made to the sustainability of the global PET packaging industry and is the first and only oxygen scavenger to deliver perfect container clarity and full recyclability. This is the first oxygen scavenging technology to be recognised by both the EPBP (European PET Bottle Platform) and the APR (Association of Plastics Recyclers) as having no negative impact on recyclability.

HyGuard is activated only once the container closure is applied allowing maximum longevity in preform/container storage. The active disc slowly releases hydrogen. Disk size and shape is flexible, depending on required speed and longevity of oxygen scavenging activity. The control layer controls the rate at which hydrogen is released. Oxygen continually penetrates the container wall. The system starts working after the closure is applied.. Moisture in the headspace triggers the controlled release of hydrogen from the active disk. As the hydrogen and oxygen molecules come together, minute amounts of odourless and tasteless water molecules are created. The water produced is at a ppm level and insignificant with respect to the underlying moisture vapour transmission through the container. Whilst there is always oxygen and hydrogen present, performance is maintained. The catalyst does not degrade. Shelf life can be adjusted and controlled according to specific applications up to and beyond 24 months if required. It can be combined with other additive technologies such as UV protection where required without compromising performance. Thinner and smaller PET containers require greater protection from oxygen ingress and the impact on cost and container clarity can make these options unviable.  As a catalytic system, HyGuard requires no adjustment to the level of material used. The same ppm of catalyst is used whatever the level of protection required opening up new opportunities for container light weighting and reduced container portion sizes. It delivers increased product protection without impacting container clarity and recyclability, and can be combined with other additive technologies such as UV protection where required without compromising performance. In a typical PET beverage container, the HyGuard catalyst is uniformly distributed throughout the container wall. In a container closure, the activator is located within the closure. The closures can be designed for a range of hot fill, wide mouth or aseptic applications.