VMCPP film, or vacuum metallized cast polypropylene film, has become one of the most important inner barrier layers in modern flexible packaging. It combines the softness and heat-sealability of CPP with the barrier and metallic appearance of aluminum.
For food brands and converters, metallized CPP (VMCPP) is often the sealing layer in laminates such as BOPP/VMCPP or PET/VMCPP for potato chips, snacks, coffee, milk powder and pet food pouches. Compared with traditional aluminum foil, VMCPP can reduce aluminum usage, improve line speed and help you design lighter, more cost-effective packs.
In this guide, CloudFilm – a Chinese manufacturer specializing in metallized CPP, clear CPP and other flexible packaging films – explains what VMCPP film is, its key properties, typical applications and how to choose the right VMCPP grade for your project.
If you are comparing different metallized films, you can also refer to our Metallized CPP Film product page and the Metallized Films overview for more technical details.
What Is VMCPP Film?
VMCPP film, fully known as vacuum metallized cast polypropylene film, is produced by depositing an ultra-thin layer of metal (typically aluminum) onto a cast polypropylene (CPP) base film under high vacuum.
During metallization, resistance, high-frequency or electron-beam heating is used to melt and vaporize aluminum, which then condenses uniformly on the CPP surface to form a continuous metal layer.
This process gives VMCPP film the mechanical softness and heat-sealability of CPP together with the high oxygen and moisture barrier of aluminum. In real packaging structures, VMCPP is usually used as the inner sealing layer in laminates such as BOPP/VMCPP or PET/VMCPP instead of full aluminum foil, helping converters reduce material cost while keeping barrier performance.
CloudFilm’s Metallized CPP Film portfolio is designed exactly for these laminates and for snack, coffee, tea and pet food packaging lines.
Characteristics of VMCPP Film in Packaging
Compared with traditional aluminum foil structures, VMCPP film can dramatically reduce the amount of aluminum used while improving line efficiency. Typical aluminum foil thickness is 7–9 μm, whereas the metal layer on VMCPP is around 0.04 μm – roughly 1/200 of the aluminum consumption – and metallizing lines can run at speeds up to 700 m/min.
For packaging buyers and engineers, the key advantages of VMCPP film in laminates are:
- High Barrier with Fewer Pinholes
VMCPP offers excellent toughness and fold resistance, so it is less prone to pinholes, cracks and wrinkles compared with thin aluminum foil. This helps maintain gas, moisture, aroma and light barrier in snack, coffee and milk powder packaging. - Strong Metallic Appearance
With reflectivity up to about 97%, metallized CPP delivers a bright metallic look. Combined with flexo or gravure printing, it gives pouches and pillow packs a premium shelf presence. - Design Flexibility (Partial Metallization)
By using masking or de-metallization (wash-off) processes, you can create logos, patterns or transparent windows on VMCPP laminates, making products visible while keeping barrier elsewhere. - Static Dissipation for Powder Products
The aluminum layer provides electrical conductivity that helps discharge static. This reduces powder attraction at the seal area and supports clean, reliable sealing for coffee, milk powder and nutritional powders. - Good Printability and Lamination Performance
Corona-treated VMCPP surfaces show good wettability for inks and adhesives, ensuring stable print quality and strong bond strength in laminates with films like Clear CPP Film, BOPP Folia or Aluminized PET Film.
Thanks to this balance of performance, appearance and cost, VMCPP films from CloudFilm are increasingly replacing conventional aluminum foil composites in flavored foods, household products, agricultural goods, pharmaceuticals, cosmetics and tobacco packaging.
Fundamental Properties of VMCPP
Before selecting a VMCPP grade, it is helpful to understand the key properties that influence barrier performance, sealing behavior and converting efficiency. CloudFilm typically controls the following parameters in its Metallized CPP Film
production and quality checks:
Appearance
The film surface should be smooth and uniform, without wrinkles, creases, gels, black spots, bubbles or visible pinholes in the metallized layer. Consistent color and brightness are essential for premium snack, coffee and personal-care packaging.
Base Film Thickness
VMCPP base film thickness must be consistent across and along the web to ensure stable tension, smooth winding and predictable stiffness. Common thicknesses for metallized CPP sealing layers are 20–30 μm, which can be combined with outer films such as BOPP or PET.
Aluminum Layer Thickness (Optical Density / Ω/□)
The aluminum layer directly affects barrier performance. A denser, well-controlled metal layer reduces oxygen, water vapor and light transmission. In CloudFilm’s technical data sheets, you will usually see values such as surface resistance (Ω/□) or optical density, which indicate whether the metal layer meets your target shelf life.
Adhesion of Aluminum Layer
Strong adhesion between the metal layer and CPP base is critical to avoid metal flaking during slitting, printing and lamination. To improve adhesion, a primer is applied before metallizing, and protective coatings or laminating adhesives are added afterward. Proper adhesion ensures that barrier performance is maintained throughout the pack’s life.
Mechanical Properties
VMCPP films must withstand the mechanical stresses of high-speed lamination and form-fill-seal lines. Key parameters include tensile strength, elongation at break, tear resistance and impact resistance. Well-balanced mechanical properties prevent film cracking, wrinkling or breakage during converting and packing.
Moisture Vapor Transmission Rate (MVTR)
MVTR indicates how much water vapor passes through the film under specified conditions (for example, 38°C and 90% RH). A 25 μm VMCPP film typically exhibits MVTR values around 1.0–1.5 g/m²·24 h, making it suitable for many dry-food and powdered products when combined with outer films.
Oxygen Transmission Rate (OTR)
OTR measures how much oxygen passes through the metallized film. Lower OTR values support longer shelf life for oxygen-sensitive products such as nuts, coffee, pet food and nutritional powders. When you share your target shelf life with CloudFilm, we can recommend VMCPP barrier levels that match your needs.
Surface Tension (Corona Treatment Level)
Adequate surface tension on the metallized side is necessary for good ink and adhesive wettability. If surface energy is too low, you may see ink beading, poor adhesion or lamination defects. That is why CloudFilm controls corona treatment levels on VMCPP films and provides data so that printers and converters can set inks and adhesives correctly.
Everyday Essentials: How VMCPP Film Works in Ten Common Packaging Applications
Potato Chip Packaging
VMCPP laminates such as BOPP/VMCPP are widely used for pillow packs of potato chips and extruded snacks. The metallized CPP layer blocks oxygen and moisture so that chips stay crisp, while the outer BOPP provides printability and stiffness. Many customers combine CloudFilm Metallized CPP Film with Metallized BOPP Film or clear BOPP to fine-tune gloss and barrier.
Snack Packaging
For biscuits, crackers and confectionery, VMCPP offers a cost-effective way to upgrade from aluminum foil to metallized laminates. Its softness reduces cracking at folds and gussets, making multi-pack and family-size pouches more reliable on high-speed lines.
Nut Packaging
Nuts and roasted seeds are highly sensitive to oxygen and light. Using VMCPP as the inner barrier layer helps slow oxidation, reduce rancidity and keep aroma locked inside. When you share your target shelf life with CloudFilm, we can suggest VMCPP structures suitable for your nut bags or stand-up pouches.
Pharmaceutical Packaging
In pharmaceutical and healthcare applications, metallized CPP can protect tablets, capsules and medical devices against moisture and contamination when used as the inner seal layer in laminates or sachets. Combined with Clear CPP Film
or Retort CPP Film, it can support higher-temperature processes and stricter barrier requirements.
Tea Packaging
For premium tea and herbal blends, VMCPP helps preserve aroma, color and active ingredients by blocking oxygen and light. Many brands choose metallized laminates with partial de-metallization windows so that consumers can see the tea leaves while still benefiting from strong barrier around the rest of the pack.
Coffee Packaging
Ground coffee and coffee beans are very sensitive to oxygen. VMCPP structures, often combined with degassing valves and resealable zippers, allow roasters to design bags that keep aroma and flavor fresh for longer. CloudFilm supplies VMCPP films that run smoothly on valve pouch and stand-up coffee bag lines.
Milk Powder Packaging
Baby formula and nutritional powders require both high barrier and strong sealing. Metallized CPP can be a cost-effective alternative to full aluminum foil when combined with outer films and appropriate gusset designs. Our team can advise on VMCPP barrier levels and sealing windows that match your filling machines.
Pet Food Packaging
Pet foods often contain fats and aromas similar to human snacks. VMCPP sealing layers help keep kibbles and treats fresh, while the metallic look supports premium brand positioning. CloudFilm’s metallized CPP grades are used in many stand-up pouches and pillow bags for dog and cat food.
Facial Mask Packaging
For sheet masks and cosmetic sachets, VMCPP protects essences against oxidation and water loss, helping maintain efficacy and shelf life. Metallized packs also support a luxurious, high-gloss appearance in beauty aisles.
Circuit Board Packaging
In electronics, the combination of barrier and conductivity makes VMCPP laminates suitable for moisture-sensitive devices and PCB packaging. The metal layer helps dissipate static while the CPP core offers cushioning and puncture resistance, protecting components during transport and storage.
How to Start a VMCPP Film Project with CloudFilm
If you are evaluating VMCPP film for a new laminate or want to upgrade from aluminum foil, CloudFilm can support you from structure design to export packing. To get a fast, accurate proposal, simply share:
- What product you will pack (snacks, coffee, milk powder, pet food, pharmaceuticals, electronics, etc.).
- Current or planned laminate structure (for example BOPP/VMCPP, PET/VMCPP, PET/AL/CPP).
- Target shelf life and any special barrier or sealing requirements.
- Your packing machine type (VFFS, HFFS, pre-made pouch, valve pouch, etc.) and typical film width/thickness.
- Estimated order volume and destination country.
Based on this information, the CloudFilm team will recommend suitable VMCPP grades, provide technical data sheets and send trial rolls or samples where needed. You can also explore related products like Metallized CPP Film, Clear CPP Film and CPP Anti Fog Film to build complete CPP-based laminates.
About CloudFilm
CloudFilm (Qingdao Cloud Film Packaging Materials Co., Ltd.) is a flexible packaging film manufacturer based in China, supplying BOPP, BOPET, BOPA, CPP, PE and specialty films to converters and brand owners worldwide.
With a portfolio covering metallized films, anti-fog CPP, retort CPP, recyclable mono-material structures and tailor-made laminates, we help customers develop practical, high-performance packaging solutions for food, beverage, pet food, healthcare, industrial and agricultural products.
If you would like to discuss a VMCPP or metallized film project, you are welcome to contact the CloudFilm team for samples, data sheets and a custom quotation.
