Tea export packaging for Sri Lanka
LIFA investigated moisture-damaged tea packaging, identified a substituted liner and qualified two suppliers meeting the buyer's barrier requirement.
- The buyer
- A Colombo, Sri Lanka tea exporter shipping premium loose-leaf tea to 14 markets.
- The product scope
- Laminated foil bags and inner liners for loose-leaf tea; 5 sizes.
What needed to change?
7% of export cartons showed moisture damage; moisture content in tea exceeded 7% (spec ≤4%); two EU specialty buyers threatened contract cancellation.
How LIFA managed the work
We tested film structures: water-vapor transmission rate (WVTR) on 9 candidates.
We identified the liner substitution: cheaper single-layer film without aluminum barrier.
We qualified 2 packaging suppliers meeting the WVTR spec.
We added WVTR certification to incoming material checks.
Both EU buyers retained after corrective evidence; moisture damage eliminated; packaging cost +5% accepted against the quality risk.
From our company project database, with the work, approvals and results shown together.
What this project shows
Water-vapor transmission testing identified the missing barrier performance. The buyer accepted a higher packaging cost to address the specific quality risk.
Client identities, supplier contacts and confidential commercial terms are withheld from this public company record.
