Stand-up pouches: which material is right?
Stand-up pouches are made of several layers. Transparent pouches (PET/LDPE or OPP/CPP) show the contents, aluminium composites (PET/AL/LDPE) offer the best protection against light and oxygen, kraft paper pouches have a natural look with an inner film, and mono-LDPE pouches are recyclable as a mono-material.
As of: 19.10.2026 · Reviewed by: Editorial team Elke Plastic GmbH · Information provided without guarantee.
The variants at a glance
| Variant | Structure (according to item data) | Special feature |
|---|---|---|
| Transparent PET/LDPE | PET 12 / LDPE 110 | contents visible, food-safe, with ziplock closure |
| Transparent OPP/CPP | OPP 25 / CPP 40 | clear and glossy, food-safe |
| Aluminium composite, black or white | PET 12 / AL 7 / LDPE 110 | light-proof, also available with aroma valve |
| Aluminium composite, matt | MOPP matte 19 / PET 12 / AL 7 / LDPE 110 | matt surface, black or white |
| Kraft paper with aluminium | Kraft paper 50 g / AL 7 / CPP 60 | natural look, also available with aroma valve |
| Kraft paper with window | Kraft paper 50 g / PET 12 / CPP 40 | window shows the contents, in brown, white or black |
| Kraft paper without aluminium | Kraft paper 50 g / EVOH / LDPE 70 | aluminium-free, food-safe |
| Kraft paper with PLA | Kraft paper 60 g / PLA 80 | aluminium-free, for dry food only |
| Mono-LDPE, recyclable | LDPE / EVOH / LDPE | mono-material, with perforation line |
From our range: Stand-up pouches, Kraft-Paper Stand-Up Pouches, Transparent Stand-Up Pouches and Aluminum Stand-Up Pouches.
What the layers do
- PET and OPP: outer layer, carries the print and gives strength.
- Aluminium (AL): very thin barrier layer against light, oxygen and aroma loss.
- EVOH: oxygen barrier without aluminium.
- LDPE and CPP: inner layer, sealable and suitable for food contact.
- Kraft paper: outer layer for a natural look. The pouch remains a composite with a film on the inside.
Recycling and sustainability
Mono-materials made of a single plastic can be recycled best. Multilayer composites with aluminium or paper are generally harder to recycle. The kraft paper variants with EVOH or PLA are aluminium-free, and the mono-LDPE pouch counts as a mono-material. More bags: Recyclable Stand-Up Pouches and Sustainable Stand-Up Pouches. Background on alternatives: Mono-PE instead of aluminium composite.
How to choose
- Coffee, tea, spices: light-proof aluminium composite, see Packaging tea and spices.
- Visible contents: transparent pouch or kraft paper with a window.
- Recyclability: mono-LDPE or aluminium-free variants.
- Freshly roasted coffee: variant with aroma valve, see Aroma valve.
Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between a stand-up pouch and a doypack?
It is the same bag shape: a bag with a base that stands up on its own. Doypack is the common brand name for it.
Which material protects best against light and oxygen?
The aluminium composite, for example PET 12 / AL 7 / LDPE 110. The thin aluminium layer blocks light and oxygen.
Are kraft paper stand-up pouches pure paper bags?
No. They consist of kraft paper on the outside and a film on the inside, such as CPP or PLA. Pure paper bags are, for example, Natron block bottom bags.
Which stand-up pouches are recyclable?
According to the item data, the mono-LDPE pouch (LDPE / EVOH / LDPE) is recyclable as a mono-material.
Are stand-up pouches food-safe?
Most pouches in our range are marked as food-safe. What counts is the information for the specific item and the data sheet.