Source reduction is a key driver behind both of the MRE (Meals, Ready-to-Eat) pouches that are in development at Natick Labs. One is for retort purposes and one is a non-retort pouch. The non-retort pouch is described as a multilayer structure that uses a nanocomposite coating in place of foil as the barrier layer. Kuraray nanocomposite barrier films incorporate functionalized nanoparticles into a coating for barrier polymers, nylon, and/or PET.
The nanocomposite retort pouch is also being developed in collaboration with Kuraray. The goal is an all-polymer film structure, in place of a quad-laminate foil-based structure, that employs a high-barrier nanocomposite coating. The barrier material, Kuraister N, is on both sides of a nylon substrate.
