tube&bottles

    Materials · ABL Laminate

    ABL laminate tubes: aluminum-barrier laminate for high-protection packaging.

    ABL, aluminum barrier laminate, is the gold standard for high-barrier squeeze tubes. A thin foil layer sandwiched between LDPE and printable films, delivering oxygen, moisture and flavor protection that monolayer plastics can't match.

    Quote in ABL Laminate
    MOQ
    5,000 per SKU
    Quote
    48-hour turnaround
    FOB
    Los Angeles · USA & Canada
    CIF
    Direct shipping worldwide
    Quality & compliance
    Manufactured in an ISO 9001:2015 certified facility.

    01. What it is

    Inside the resin.

    ABL is a multi-layer sleeve construction, typically LDPE / EAA / aluminum foil / EAA / printable LDPE, wound into a tube and welded along the seam. The aluminum layer (just 12 microns) blocks oxygen and moisture almost completely, while the outer LDPE layer takes premium offset printing.

    02. Best for

    When to choose ABL Laminate.

    • Toothpaste, the original ABL application
    • OTC pharma ointments, antifungals, analgesics
    • Hair color cream tubes (formulas with peroxide)
    • Oxygen-sensitive cosmetic actives (vitamin C, retinol)
    • Anything where a 24-month shelf life is non-negotiable

    03. Properties

    The spec sheet.

    ConstructionLDPE / aluminum foil / printable film
    Oxygen barrier< 0.1 cc/m²/day (essentially zero)
    Sizes25 ml – 200 ml standard
    Diameter rangeØ25 – Ø50
    DecorationUp to 8-color offset printing
    Shelf life support24+ months typical

    04. Sustainability

    The footprint.

    ABL is not curbside-recyclable in most US municipalities due to the foil layer. For brands targeting recyclability, see our mono-material PE laminate, it offers ~90% of ABL's barrier with full #2 stream compatibility.

    05. Decoration

    Decoration options.

    • 8-color offset printing
    • Soft-touch coating
    • Spot UV
    • Cold foil & hot stamping
    • Pearlescent inks
    • Embossed brand panel

    06. FAQ

    Common questions.

    What's the difference between ABL and PBL?

    ABL uses an aluminum foil barrier. PBL (plastic barrier laminate) uses an EVOH polymer barrier instead, slightly lower oxygen protection but better for recyclability.

    Can ABL tubes be recycled?

    Not in most US curbside streams, the aluminum foil layer disqualifies them. For curbside-recyclable barrier tubes, ask about mono-material PE laminate.

    What's the MOQ?

    5,000 units per SKU. Lead time is typically 6–8 weeks from approved artwork and tooling.

    07. Related

    Other materials we run.

    PCR
    PCR Packaging (Post-Consumer Recycled)
    Bio-PE
    Bio-PE (Sugarcane Polyethylene)
    HDPE
    HDPE (High-Density Polyethylene)
    PET
    PET (Polyethylene Terephthalate)
    PP
    PP (Polypropylene)

    08. Used in

    Categories we run in ABL Laminate.

    Squeeze tubes
    Oral Care
    From challenger toothpaste brands to global oral-care leaders, we tool, extrude and decorate the laminate tubes that put your formula on shelf.
    Squeeze tubes
    Toothpaste
    We specialize in toothpaste tubes, the laminate construction, the printing tolerances, the cap fit, the shelf stability. It's a craft we've practiced for 20+ years.
    Squeeze tubes
    Suncare
    Suncare formulas are aggressive, high actives, high pH variability, and they need to survive a beach bag in 100°F sun. We build tubes that hold up.
    Squeeze tubes
    Pharma OTC
    Pharma OTC, analgesics, antifungals, hydrocortisone, eye ointments. We supply the high-barrier laminate tubes and the documentation FDA-regulated brands require.

    Quote in ABL Laminate?

    Tell us your format, size and decoration, we'll spec the resin and come back in 48 hours.

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