An overview is given on the possibilities of improving the barrier properties of polymer films. For a great number of polymers the barrier properties against water vapour and oxygen are presented. The reason and techniques for the pre-treatment of polymer surfaces prior to the coating process are disussed. By laminated the coated polymer film with ORMOCERs the permeability can be lowered in addition. Examples for the permeability values of different laminates are shown.
