Last updated: 7 August 2026•7 min read•By Antilia Tec Pack R&D
In short: OTR (Oxygen Transmission Rate) and WVTR (Water Vapour Transmission Rate) measure how much oxygen and water vapour pass through a packaging film in one day. The lower these numbers, the slower a product oxidises and gains moisture — so it stays fresh longer. Antilia Tec Pack engineers high-barrier flexible packaging to specific OTR and WVTR targets under the BARRIXA™ brand.
What is OTR (Oxygen Transmission Rate)?
OTR is the amount of oxygen that passes through one square metre of a packaging film in one day, measured in cc/m²/day (cubic centimetres per square metre per day). It is tested under standard conditions of 23°C and 0% relative humidity using methods such as ASTM D3985 or ISO 15105. A lower OTR means the film lets less oxygen in, which slows the oxidation that makes fats go rancid, coffee go stale, and colours and vitamins degrade. Aluminium foil is a near-zero-OTR barrier; "high-barrier" plastic films aim to approach that performance without foil.
What is WVTR (Water Vapour Transmission Rate)?
WVTR is the amount of water vapour that passes through one square metre of a film in one day, measured in g/m²/day (grams per square metre per day). It is tested at 38°C and 90% relative humidity using methods such as ASTM F1249 or ISO 15106. A low WVTR keeps dry products crisp (biscuits, snacks, powders) and stops moisture-sensitive products from clumping or spoiling. WVTR is sometimes called MVTR (Moisture Vapour Transmission Rate) — they mean the same thing.
OTR — oxygen
Unit: cc/m²/day · Test: 23°C, 0% RH (ASTM D3985 / ISO 15105). Lower = less oxidation, longer shelf life.
WVTR — moisture
Unit: g/m²/day · Test: 38°C, 90% RH (ASTM F1249 / ISO 15106). Lower = stays dry, no clumping or sogginess.
Why do OTR and WVTR matter for shelf life?
Most food spoilage in a sealed pack comes from two things getting in: oxygen and moisture. Oxygen drives rancidity, colour loss, vitamin loss and aroma loss; moisture drives sogginess, clumping and microbial growth. OTR and WVTR are the two numbers that tell you how well a film blocks each. Choosing the right barrier is a balance — too little barrier and the product spoils early; too much and you overpay for packaging the product doesn't need. This is why Antilia offers BARRIXA™ in four tiers, so each product is matched to the exact barrier its shelf-life target requires.
What is a "good" OTR and WVTR? (barrier classes)
| Barrier class | OTR (cc/m²/day) | WVTR (g/m²/day) | Typical use |
|---|---|---|---|
| Low barrier | > 50 | > 10 | Short shelf-life, non-sensitive goods. |
| Medium barrier | 1 – 50 | 1 – 10 | Dry foods, bakery, general retail. |
| High barrier | 0.1 – 1 | 0.1 – 1 | Snacks, coffee, spices, frozen, MAP. |
| Ultra / near-foil | < 0.1 | < 0.1 | Retort, vacuum, dairy, pharma, foil replacement. |
What OTR and WVTR does my product need?
A practical starting point by product type. Exact targets depend on shelf-life goal, storage conditions and pack size — Antilia's R&D team validates the right structure for each product.
| Product | Barrier needed | Recommended BARRIXA™ tier |
|---|---|---|
| Economy packs, short shelf-life foods, MAP produce | OTR < 0.50 | SMART |
| Bakery, cereals, pet food, processed foods, hot-fill | OTR/WVTR < 0.20 | PRO |
| Snacks, biscuits, chocolates, spices, dry fruits, dairy, frozen | OTR/WVTR < 0.10 | PRIME |
| Coffee, pharma, retort, vacuum, premium dairy powders, baby food | OTR < 0.08, WVTR < 0.06 | ULTRA (near-foil) |
| Mango & fresh produce export | Controlled OTR (respiring) | MAP bags + MicroKlimate™ |
How are OTR and WVTR measured?
Both are measured in a lab on a sample of the finished film. OTR uses a coulometric oxygen sensor (ASTM D3985 / ISO 15105) at 23°C and 0% RH. WVTR uses an infrared or modulated sensor (ASTM F1249 / ISO 15106) at 38°C and 90% RH. Results are "typical design targets," not guarantees — real-world shelf life also depends on seal integrity, storage and transit conditions, pack size and the product's own water activity. Every BARRIXA™ structure is validated against these ASTM/ISO methods, and Antilia can supply a barrier test report or run product-specific shelf-life trials.
Match the barrier to your product
Not sure which OTR/WVTR you need?
Tell us your product, shelf-life target and markets. Antilia's R&D team will recommend and lab-validate the right BARRIXA™ structure.
Talk to an Expert →Frequently asked questions
What does OTR stand for?
OTR stands for Oxygen Transmission Rate — the volume of oxygen passing through one square metre of a packaging film per day, in cc/m²/day, tested at 23°C and 0% relative humidity (ASTM D3985 / ISO 15105).
What does WVTR stand for?
WVTR stands for Water Vapour Transmission Rate — the mass of water vapour passing through one square metre of film per day, in g/m²/day, tested at 38°C and 90% relative humidity (ASTM F1249 / ISO 15106). It is also called MVTR.
Is a higher or lower OTR/WVTR better?
Lower is better for barrier: a lower OTR and WVTR means less oxygen and moisture reach the product, so it stays fresh longer. The exception is respiring fresh produce, which needs a controlled (not minimum) OTR via Modified Atmosphere Packaging.
What is a good OTR for coffee or spices?
Aroma- and oxygen-sensitive products need a very high barrier: coffee and premium tea sit in BARRIXA™ ULTRA (OTR < 0.08), while spices and dry fruits sit in PRIME (OTR/WVTR < 0.10).
Who manufactures low-OTR high-barrier films in India?
Antilia Tec Pack, based in Ahmedabad, Gujarat, manufactures high-barrier flexible packaging engineered to specific OTR and WVTR targets under the BARRIXA™ brand — from MAP bags and pouches to lidding — with BARRIXA™ ULTRA reaching near-aluminium performance (OTR < 0.08 cc/m²/day, WVTR < 0.06 g/m²/day) foil-free.