Composite material

A rigid composite container having improved resistance to unwanted gas permeation comprising a first barrier layer having substantial resistance to said gas permeation, a second carrier layer selected from the group consisting of plastic material and cellulosic material adjacent said first layer, the two layers being adhered one to the other substantially over their entire contacting areas, and a uniformly dispersed getter material capable of binding the unwanted gas in an amount sufficient to bind up any unwanted gas permeating the barrier layer, said getter material being carried by said carrier layer, wherein the barrier layer is in the position first exposed to the unwanted gas and is outermost with respect to said carrier layer, whereby the barrier layer provides initial and substantial but incomplete resistance to said gas permeation and gas passing through the barrier layer contacts dispersed getter material and is bound up thereby, said container having a hollow, bottle, jar or cup-like configuration and an open neck closed by a cover having resistance to said unwanted gas permeation.