A partnership transforms pharmaceutical packaging
Every major transformation begins with a shared vision. Faller Packaging, Perlen Packaging, Uhlmann Pac-Systeme and ETIMEX Primary Packaging have set themselves the goal of making pharmaceutical packaging more resource- and material-efficient, without compromising on quality or efficiency. An ambitious goal that requires not only technological innovation, but also a new approach to collaboration across the entire value chain. One important element in this transformation? The introduction of pharmaceutical blisters made from polypropylene (PP) as an alternative to traditional material combinations such as PVC and aluminium.
Increasing Demands Require Innovation
The requirements for pharmaceutical packaging are increasing. Customers and regulatory authorities are increasingly demanding material-efficient and recyclable packaging solutions that also meet high standards in terms of stability, barrier properties, and processability. At the same time, conventional material combinations such as PVC and aluminium are reaching their limits when it comes to recyclability.
The four established companies have decided to address the challenge together – and make PP blisters the solution of the future.
Collaboration as a Driver of Innovation
The journey began at ETIMEX, the leading manufacturer of PP blister films. Their innovative materials had already demonstrated that they are recyclable and can satisfy the challenging demands of the pharmaceutical industry at the same time. Perlen Packaging joined the partnership as a driving force and contributed their expertise in the analysis of material properties and marketing for various areas of application.
Together with ETIMEX, the partners conducted extensive material tests on a state-of-the-art blister machine from Uhlmann. The machine enabled the team to test the PP solutions under realistic production conditions, optimise them, and validate their suitability for practical use. Faller Packaging completed the process by developing secondary packaging perfectly matched to the PP blisters. The result was an integrated solution spanning the entire value chain.
A Milestone for the Industry
The results of the collaboration speak for themselves. Initial tests on the Uhlmann blister machine showed that the PP films of ETIMEX do not merely meet the strict requirements of the pharmaceutical industry. Their stability, barrier properties, and processability stand out in every regard. The use of PP blister films and the seamless integration of secondary cardboard packaging from Faller marked an important step towards packaging solutions designed to enable more efficient material use and improved recyclability. At the same time, the quality that customers as well as regulatory authorities expect remained on the highest level.
The partnership also proved to be a driver of innovation. By contributing their respective areas of expertise, each company helped create solutions that were not only practical and market-ready. The collaboration also enabled the partners to establish standards that can serve as a foundation for future innovation projects.
Collaborative Innovation: A Model for the Future
The collaboration between Faller Packaging, Perlen Packaging, Uhlmann Pac-Systeme and ETIMEX Primary Packaging demonstrates the power of collaborative innovation. By pooling their expertise and resources, the partners have succeeded in advancing packaging solutions across the entire value chain to meet the industry's growing demands.
But this is only the beginning. The partners see significant potential to further optimise PP solutions and establish them more widely in the market. Their vision remains clear: to drive the further development of pharmaceutical packaging, focusing on solutions that combine high quality standards with efficient use of materials and improved recyclability.
