Flexible oxygen barrier films from spruce xylan

► Norwegian spruce xylan was used to prepare films by casting from aqueous solution. ► Xylan consisted of α-l-araf:4-O-Me-α-d-glucpA:β-d-Xylp in a ratio of 1:2:11. ► Films had stress and strain at break of 55 MPa and 2.7% and Young's modulus 2735 MPa. ► Films had 0.12 cm3 μmm−2 d−1 kPa−1 O2 permeability with potential for food packaging. ► Spruce xylan forms clear, flexible films with great oxygen barrier properties.