Saran (plastic)

Saran is the trade name for a number of polymers made from vinylidene chloride (especially polyvinylidene chloride or PVDC), along with other monomers. The main advantage of Saran film is a very low permeability to water vapor, flavor and aroma molecules, and oxygen compared to other plastics. The barrier to oxygen prevents food spoilage, and the barrier to flavor and aroma molecules helps food retain its flavor and aroma.

Saran is best known for having been used in Saran Wrap — a thin, clingy plastic wrap that was sold in rolls and used primarily for wrapping food. Saran Wrap is now a brand of S. C. Johnson & Son. Environmental concerns with halogenated materials have led to the removal of PVDC from the Saran Wrap product which is now comprised of polyethylene.

PVDC is also used for high-quality doll hair that is valued by collectors for its shine, softness, and its ability to retain its style and curl.

In some jurisdictions, the name Saran is a registered trademark of the Dow Chemical Company, while in others, it has lost trademark status and become a generic term for these polymers.

History
Saran was first inadvertently discovered at Dow Chemical in 1933 when a lab worker was having trouble washing beakers. It was initially developed into a spray that was used on US fighter planes, and later automobile upholstery to protect them from the elements. Dow Chemical later refined Saran, eliminating its green hue and ridding it of its offensive odor. In 1949 Saran Wrap was invented and quickly became a common way to store food and keep it fresh.