Halogen-free PP films for pharma applications

SÜDPACK Medica AG is extending its portfolio of thermoforming films with a polypropylene-based film which is free of halogenic substances for the manufacture of blister packaging and other pharmaceutical solid product applications. In this way, the pharmaceuticals industry can be provided with a sustainable alternative, featuring an outstanding barrier profile, to the PVC/PVdC blister materials otherwise frequently used.

SÜDPACK Medica AG, as part of the SÜDPACK Group, is one of the leading manufacturers of plastic-based sterile barriers. These are used across the globe in medical technology, diagnostics, the life science industry and pharmaceutics. At the same time, the group of companies has played a groundbreaking role in the packaging industry with its own location for the processing of sustainable biopolymers and the consistent expansion of its portfolio in the field of sustainable film concepts. In the past few years in particular, numerous recyclable products have been developed which fulfil modern demands for circular economy.

One important target market is also the pharmaceuticals industry. “It was therefore a logical step to develop a polyolefin-based solution for solid product applications for use with blister applications, too”, explains Michael Hermann, Head of Research and Development at SÜDPACK Medica AG.

The PVC/PVdC blister materials used today set high standards in terms of thermoformability. For this reason, SÜDPACK Medica focused their attention on this issue during development. The high level of product protection provided by PP films and their excellent, material-specific barrier properties are of great significance, in particular for humidity-sensitive medications and in demanding climate zones. As Michael Hermann explains: “PP as a raw substance basis naturally provides an outstanding steam barrier. With the aid of coextrusion technology, however, even higher barrier standards will in future be possible”. The unique SÜDPACK coextrusion procedure adapts the typical features of PP films extremely well to blister packaging machine requirements, meaning that processing of this material on existing packaging lines is therefore “highly possible with only minor modifications being required”.

The PP-based SÜDPACK film, which is free of halogenic substances, is thus a particularly sustainable alternative to PVC/PVdC blister materials – and for SÜDPACK an expedient extension to their portfolio, in particular with reference to sustainability. “With this pioneering development, we are responding to calls from the pharmaceuticals industry to produce sustainable packaging solutions with closed loop substance management.”

Currently, a PP-based lid system is already being developed. This will allow the packaging system, as a single-substance solution, to fulfil the requirements on recycling and closed-loop substance management.