Laminates are materials built from several layers bonded together, usually with heat, pressure or adhesives — fibreglass, plywood and reinforced plastics are industrial examples. In food packaging, laminated films (e.g. PET/aluminium/PE) combine the strengths of each layer: barriers against moisture, oxygen and light, mechanical strength and heat-sealability — protecting shelf life, flavour and nutrients in products from coffee to ready meals. Any laminate touching food must use food-grade adhesives and layers that do not migrate harmful substances (monomers, plasticisers, photoinitiators) into the food, verified by overall and specific migration testing under food-contact legislation.