Page 50 - Plastics News October 2021

PRoDUCT NEwS

kpNex- Klöckner Pentaplast launches its new Astells new biomass

recylable PET blister film packaging for pharma

functional solution. apanese pharmaceutical company
From consumers JAstellas Pharma has started using
to global brands to biomass-based plastics in blister
governments, the packages for its pharmaceutical
demand for recyclable products. The blister package is made
packaging has never from plant-derived materials and
been higher. kpNext contains sugarcane, which represents
answers those calls. 50% of the raw material used in
It is produced from its development. Astellas will begin
a globally recyclable using the biomass-based plastic blister
ma ter ia l a n d is package for the Irribow Tablet 5µg
designed to be recycled in Japan from this year.The product,
löckner Pentaplast (kp), a in the RIC (resin identification code) #1 whose generic name is ramosetron
Kleading global manufacturer PET stream.Daniel Stagnaro, Head of hydrochloride, is indicated for
of high barrier protective packaging Technology said “Current pharmaceutical diarrhoea-predominant irritable bowel
solutions with industry-leading use blister packaging is classified as RIC #7, syndrome. Astellas plans to replace
of recycled content material, has produced from a multi material structure, the existing petroleum-derived plastic
launched kpNext, its first-to-market which is not recyclable and therefore blister package with the packaging
innovation in recyclable PET blister is disposed in a landfill or incinerated. across more of its products in the
films. kpNext is the only PET recyclable Major pharmaceutical companies have future.The company also said that it will
blister that is completely compatible on been challenging blister manufacturers continue to explore more sustainable
pharmaceutical manufacturing form, fill for a solution that is responsible and packaging materials. The new packaging
and seal equipment.kp has a rich history recyclable. kp has answered those is claimed to provide the same high
of innovative pharmaceutical blister challenges with kpNext.” kpNext is the tablet protection function and usability
packaging solutions and kpNext is the culmination of three years’ worth of offered by tablet packaging containers.
next step of that evolution. Not only research and development. Utilising its It allows tablets to be seen through the
is kpNext the only PET film designed kp i.center, an application development packaging and separated easily, as well
to be a recyclable blister package, but lab located in Charlottesville, VA, as having environmental benefits. In a
it does not come at the expense of kp scientists, chemists and technical statement, Astellas said: “By fully using
the manufacturing process. “For over teams have worked on developing the
55 years, kp has been at the forefront technology to where it is today: A blister
of sustainable packaging designs, film designed to be fully recyclable
championing the circular economy and and a plug & play solution on existing
closed-loop recycling while leading in pharmaceutical lines. At launch, Dr.
innovative, recycled-content products,” Jorg Schneewind, President of kp’s PHD
said Scott Tracey, CEO of Klöckner Division said: “kpNext is an example of
Pentaplast. “As a company, we’re excellence in product innovation because
committed to taking every opportunity to it has been designed to be recyclable
make packaging recyclable. A win-win for and is a seamless transition, taking the
our long-term partners.” Pharmaceutical burden off our customers to adapt to the our packaging technology cultivated
companies and converters can utilise sustainable film. Instead, the film adapted over many years, we have actualised the
kpNext on their existing form, fill and to the equipment. It’s a true milestone for production of biomass-based plastic
seal lines with no loss of line speed the industry and for kp - in our ability to sheets that can be mass-produced while
or a need to retool. It truly is the support our customers in meeting their achieving tablet protection function
best of both worlds, a sustainable yet sustainability commitments.” and usability.”

50 PLASTICS NEWS OCTOBER 2021 51 PLASTICS NEWS OCTOBER 2021