Victan® XMCC Barrier Casing for Plant Based Proteins

For applications that require the highest level of barrier protection and extended shelf life.

Additional advantages of Victan® XMCC:

• Outstanding diameter control
• Meat adhesion per customer specifications
• Shirred product diameters from 28mm to 190mm
• Wide variety of USDA-approved colors
• In-house graphic design and high technology, full-color print capabilities

Delivery Forms:

• Shirred (with lubrication, if required)
• Reel stock
• Cut lengths
• Clipped
• Clipped and looped

Approvals:

• USDA/FDA approved
• Kosher approvals available for most products
• CFIA approvals available for most products

FAQ's

Q: Can standard meat casings be used for plant-based protein products?

A: Not always. Plant-based protein products often have different moisture content, fat distribution, and thermal processing requirements compared to conventional meat products. Casings used for plant-based proteins need to be selected for compatibility with these characteristics. Hovus Victan-Reg-XMCC casings are specifically engineered to perform with plant-based formulations.

Q: What makes a casing suitable for plant-based meat products?

A: A casing suitable for plant-based meat must provide adequate barrier properties to manage the higher moisture levels common in plant-based formulations, maintain structural integrity during cooking and cooling, and adhere cleanly to the product surface without the natural fat content that helps traditional meat products bind to casings.

Q: Are plant-based protein casings vegan?

A: The casing material itself — typically a multilayer plastic or barrier film — is not derived from animal sources and is vegan. However, the suitability of a specific casing for a vegan-certified product will depend on the full production process and any facility certifications required by the brand.

Q:What is XMCC in the context of meat and plant-based casings?

A: XMCC stands for Cross-linked Modified Collagen Casing in some industry contexts, but in Hovus terminology, Victan-Reg-XMCC refers to a specific product line within their barrier casing range designed for chub-format packaging of both conventional and plant-based ground protein products. The designation indicates specific film construction and performance characteristics.

Q: How does packaging affect the shelf life of plant-based meat products?

A: Packaging plays a critical role in plant-based meat shelf life. Because plant-based products lack the natural preservative effects of animal fat and typically contain more water activity, high-barrier casings that limit oxygen and moisture transmission are essential. Proper sealing and barrier film selection can extend refrigerated shelf life from a few days to several weeks.

At Hovus we value our current and potential clients. On-site customer service is always available. Please call 610-997-8800 to have a technical representative arrive at your facility for any assistance you may require.