Expansion in hot and humid emerging markets, such as South America and Southeast Asia, is pushing the moisture barrier properties of pharmaceutical packaging films. Honeywell has developed the Aclar UltRx 6000 film to offer manufacturers a film that works in hot and humid countries.
“This new film will help pharmaceutical companies around the world protect their medicines, simplify their supply chains, and improve their branding”, Jeff Czarnecki, global leader of Honeywell's health care and packaging business, said.
Honeywell is targeting the film at companies selling products in Zone IVA and IVB countries. The World Health Organization (WHO) defines long-term testing conditions for Zone IVB climates as 30°C and 75 per cent relative humidity. Singapore, Vietnam, Brazil and others are classified as Zone IVB.
Manufacturers selling products in these markets now have the option of using Aclar UltRx 6000 for their blister packaging. Honeywell claims its films, including Aclar UltRx 6000, can cut drug package sizes compared to cold-formed foil and be used on modified versions of existing equipment.
The Aclar range
Before introducing the product the Aclar UltRx 4000 was the highest moisture barrier film offered by Honeywell. At 40°C and 75 per cent relative humidity Honeywell claims the new film cuts the water vapour transmission rate (WVTR) by more than one-third to 0.0007 grams per package per day.
By using Aclar UltRx 6000 across the supply chain, instead of choosing a specialist high barrier film for Zone IV countries, pharmaceutical manufacturers can standardise their product packaging.
Like other products in the range, Aclar UltRx 6000 is biochemically inert, chemical-resistant and non-flammable. Honeywell claims using a transparent material in blisters improves branding by allowing patients to see the pill through the packaging.