Plastic Casings

1. Overview

The Ultimate in Protection, Presentation, and Performance

Plastic casings, also known as synthetic casings, represent the pinnacle of casing technology. Unlike natural, collagen, or cellulose casings, they are strictly inedible and function as a high-performance combination of a cooking mold and a protective package. Constructed from advanced polymers like polyamide (nylon), polypropylene, or polyethylene, these casings are engineered for one primary purpose: to protect and present your product with unmatched precision.

Plastic casings are not designed for smoking in the traditional sense, as their high-barrier nature limits smoke penetration. Instead, they excel in applications where extended shelf life, moisture retention, zero purge (weight loss), and vibrant, printed branding are paramount. Whether you are producing fine emulsion sausages, molded hams, or deli meats for export, our plastic casings ensure your product arrives at its destination—and on the retail shelf—in perfect condition.

Our portfolio includes advanced multilayer co-extruded casings, available in both oriented (shrinkable) and non-oriented (non-shrink) varieties to match your specific cooking and packaging process.

2. Key Features

Why Plastic Casings Are the Choice for Modern Meat Processing

Feature	Operational & Product Benefit
Exceptional Barrier Properties	Multilayer construction provides an outstanding barrier against oxygen and moisture. This dramatically extends product shelf life, prevents freezer burn, and eliminates purge (weight loss) during storage and shipping.
Superior Mechanical Strength	High tensile strength allows for overstuffing (10-15%) without blowouts, ensuring a plump, full sausage even after cooking. Excellent resistance to oil, cold, and solvents.
Precision Size Control	Provides unrivaled diameter consistency, guaranteeing exact piece weights and a uniform, professional appearance for every single unit.
Outstanding Printability	The smooth surface can be printed with up to 4 colors. This allows for vibrant branding, cooking instructions, and nutritional information directly on the casing, which becomes the final package.
Zero Product Loss (Purge-Free)	The casing adheres to the meat during cooking, preventing the loss of moisture and fat. This results in significantly higher cooking yields and a juicier final product.
Excellent Peelability	Specially engineered release layers ensure the casing peels away cleanly and effortlessly after cooking and chilling, leaving a smooth, flawless surface.
Versatile Shrinkage Options	Available in high, medium, and low shrink formulations to match different product shapes (round, square, D-shaped) and packaging needs.
Ambient Storage	Stable and long shelf life at room temperature, saving valuable cold storage space.

3. Product Types & Specifications

We offer a complete portfolio of plastic casings to suit every application. Our casings are primarily polyamide-based and available in various configurations.

A. By Shrinkage Type (Oriented vs. Non-Oriented)

Type	Description	Best For
Oriented (Shrinkable) Casings	These casings are stretched during manufacturing and will shrink during the cooking process. This shrinkage pulls the casing tightly against the meat, eliminating wrinkles and preventing purge (moisture/fat loss).	Cooked hams, molded meats, and products where a tight, wrinkle-free appearance is critical.
Non-Oriented (Non-Shrink) Casings	These casings maintain their diameter during cooking. They allow the meat to expand freely within the casing, making them ideal for products that are not tightly packed or where expansion is desired.	Fresh sausages, some coarse-ground products, and applications where maximum fill is prioritized over a tight skin.

B. By Application & Construction (Nova Series by ViskoTeepak as Example)

Product Line	Description	Key Properties	Best For
Nova X	A multilayer polyamide casing designed for round products.	High moisture and gas barriers; excellent size control; easy to stuff manually or with machines.	Cooked products (ham, sausages), liver sausage, ground beef, soy products, and some cheeses.
Nova L	A 5-layer, oriented polyamide casing.	Optimal shrinkage for a smooth, wrinkle-free surface; extremely low weight loss; excellent peelability with sufficient meat adhesion.	Cooked products needing D-shaped packaging with barrier properties; also suitable for some cheeses.
Nova HM	A multi-layer, oriented casing with higher shrinkage.	Higher shrinkage for wrinkle-free surfaces, neat corners, and perfect ends. Multi-layer construction for extended shelf life.	Non-round products like square-shaped hams; products using the casing as the final consumer package.
Nova XT	A special product with easy-tear orientation.	Easy peeling, tears like a banana (especially when uncooked); 10% shrinkage in both directions.	Products where effortless casing removal is a key requirement for the end-user or production line.

C. By Functionality

Type	Description	Best For
Barrier Casings	Multilayer casings providing maximum protection against oxygen and water permeation.	Fresh or frozen foods requiring the highest level of protection for extended shelf life.
Smoke Casings	Specifically engineered with selective permeability, allowing smoke and water vapor to pass through to flavor the product.	Smoked, cooked, semi-dry, or raw sausages where a smoked flavor is desired.
Monolayer Casings	Nylon-based casings suitable for cooking-and-stripping applications.	Products like chorizo, where good meat adhesion and diameter control are needed.

4. Specifications

Available Sizes & Customization Options

Parameter	Specification Range
Flat Width (Caliber)	30mm – 350mm (and up to 180mm diameter for some products)
Thickness	30µm – 60µm (one slice)
Colors	Wide range available: Clear, White, Black, Red, Gold, Copper, Green, Blue, Amber, Mahogany, Smoke, and more
Printing	Up to 4 colors front, 2 colors back; customizable with your brand logo and product info
Shrinkage	High, Medium, Low (depending on product line)
Format	Supplied shirred, on reels, or as cut pieces

5. Applications

Where Plastic Casings Excel

Plastic casings are the go-to solution for a wide range of cooked and processed meat products, as well as non-meat applications:

• Cooked Hams & Molded Meats – The shrinkable varieties provide a tight, wrinkle-free surface that is ideal for slicing and vacuum packaging.
• Luncheon Meats & Bologna – Provides excellent size control and a classic, smooth appearance for deli slices.
• Liver Sausage & Pâtés – The high-barrier properties preserve the delicate flavors and textures of these products.
• Cooked Sausages (Frankfurters, Wieners) – For products that are peeled before packaging, plastic casings offer unmatched uniformity and easy peelability.
• Specialty Sausages (Chorizo, etc.) – Monolayer casings are well-suited for cooking-and-stripping applications.
• Processed Chicken & Turkey Rolls – Maintains shape and prevents moisture loss during cooking and slicing.
• Cheese Products – Certain plastic casings are also suitable for packaging cheese.

6. Selection Guide: Plastic vs. Other Casing Types

This comparison helps customers understand where plastic casings fit in the broader casing landscape.

Decision Factor	Natural (Sheep/Pork)	Cellulose	Fibrous	Plastic (Polyamide)
Edibility	Yes – Eaten with sausage	No – Peeled off	No – Peeled off	No – Inedible / Peeled off
Primary Function	Eating experience (snap/chew)	Cooking mold for skinless products	Cooking/smoking mold	Packaging & protection
Barrier Properties	Low (permeable)	Low to Medium	Medium	Very High (O₂ & moisture barrier)
Smoke Permeability	Excellent	Controlled	Excellent	Limited (special smoke grades available)
Shelf Life Extension	Low	Low	Medium	Very High
Printability	No	Limited	Yes (fibrous)	Excellent (multi-color)
Shrinkage Control	No	No	Low	Yes (oriented/shrinkable varieties)
Storage	Refrigerated	Ambient	Ambient	Ambient

7. Why Choose Our Plastic Casings

Your Partner for Premium, Shelf-Stable Products

• Proven Multilayer Technology – Our casings are constructed with multiple layers to optimize mechanical strength, barrier properties, and peelability.
• Custom Branding Solutions – Turn your casing into your final package with high-quality, multi-color printing that makes your product stand out on the shelf.
• Reduced Production Costs – Minimize purge (weight loss) during cooking and storage, significantly increasing your yield and profitability.
• Global Export Ready – Our high-barrier casings are the preferred choice for products that need to withstand long shipping times and varying storage conditions.
• Technical Support – Our team provides guidance on selecting the right shrink level, printing options, and processing parameters for your specific application.
• Flexible Formats – Available in shirred, reel, or cut-piece formats to suit both manual and high-speed automated lines.

8. Storage & Handling Guide

Storage Conditions:

Parameter	Specification
Temperature	10°C – 25°C (50°F – 77°F) – ambient storage
Relative Humidity (RH)	< 65% – avoid excessive moisture
Avoid	Direct sunlight, extreme heat, and physical damage

Handling Best Practices:

1. Ready to Use – Plastic casings require no soaking or preparation. They can be used directly from the package.
2. Loading – Slide the casing onto the filling horn. Ensure the horn is clean and free of burrs.
3. Stuffing – Due to their high strength, plastic casings can be overstuffed (10-15%) for a plump final product.
4. Clipping – Strong clipping is recommended due to the casing’s shrinkage during cooking.
5. Cooking – Follow the recommended cooking profile for your specific casing type (shrinkable vs. non-shrinkable).
6. Cooling – After cooking, cool the product by water or air shower. This sets the casing and activates the peelable release layer.
7. Peeling – For peelable varieties, the casing should strip off cleanly and easily after chilling.

9. FAQ

Q: Are plastic casings edible?
A: No. Plastic casings are strictly inedible and are designed to be peeled off and discarded before consumption.

Q: What is the difference between oriented and non-oriented plastic casings?
A: Oriented (shrinkable) casings shrink during cooking, pulling tight against the meat to eliminate wrinkles and purge. Non-oriented casings maintain their diameter, allowing the meat to expand freely. Choose based on whether you want a tight, smooth skin or room for meat expansion.

Q: Can plastic casings be used for smoking?
A: Standard high-barrier plastic casings are not suitable for smoking as they do not allow smoke to penetrate. However, we offer specialized “smoke casings” with selective permeability that allows smoke and water vapor to pass through.

Q: Why do plastic casings extend shelf life?
A: Their multilayer construction provides an excellent barrier against oxygen and moisture. This prevents oxidation (rancidity), freezer burn, and moisture loss (purge), keeping the product fresh for much longer.

Q: Can I print my branding on plastic casings?
A: Yes. This is one of their greatest advantages. The smooth surface accepts high-quality, multi-color printing (up to 4 colors), allowing you to display your brand, product name, and cooking instructions directly on the casing.

Q: How do I prevent plastic casings from sticking to the meat?
A: Our casings are engineered with a specialized release coating. Ensure you follow the recommended cooling process (water or air shower) after cooking to activate the release layer for clean, effortless peeling.

10. Contact & CTA

Ready to Protect, Present, and Profit with Premium Plastic Casings?

Whether you need a custom-printed casing for a new product launch or a high-barrier solution for an export contract, we have the technology and expertise to deliver.

Request your free consultation package, including:

• Sample casings in your preferred caliber and shrink type
• Custom printing mockups and color swatches
• Shelf-life projection analysis for your product
• Technical data sheets and processing guidelines

📧 Email: info@haxide.com
🌐 Request Samples / Get a Quote: https://haxide.com/