Page 66 - Plastics News Issue September2025

IN THE NEWS

extensive distribution, with high barrier plastic and Pharma
films. The Oxygen transmission rates (OTR) and
water vapor transmission rates (WVTR) are also Segment Application Key Barrier Growth
Materials
Driver
Focus
important parameters that define the efficacy of Food Meat, Dairy, EVOH, PA, Oxygen, Global
these films. Ready PET, PE Moisture shelf-life
Meals
extension
Pharma Tablets, PVDC, Alu- Chemical & Stringent
However, the innovation is not just about the Injectables, Laminates, biological compliance
Medical Nylon protection
performance. Brands have become transparent Devices
(literally), recyclable, and cost-effective - and Nutraceuti- Capsules, Coated Light, UV, Functional
cals Powders Paper, Moisture supplement
these are the innovations that brands are driving Laminated growth
Films
towards packaging.
The answer is obvious: the two industries firms
Pharma’s Demand for Precision and Protection
are experiencing the exponential uptake of
Whereas the food products age in presence of high barrier plastic films, but they are different
oxygen and moisture, the pharmaceutical prod- in terms of the materials and drivers. Food is in
ucts which largely include injectables and tab- pursuit of convenience and less wastage. Phar-
lets, and the packaging films of medical devices ma requires accuracy, traceability as well as 100
have a much tighter control environment they percent safety.
need. Barrier films in pharma is not only about The Science behind High Barrier Films
extended shelf life. It is all about stopping con-
tamination, molecular integrity and delivery ef- What then makes these films have better ca-
fectiveness. pabilities? The solution is in the plastics fabrica-
tion technology that incorporates co-extrusion,
Even a minor packaging compromise can have lamination and metallization technology. When
significant health consequences when it comes such polymers are coated together to form a
to high-barrier films for specialized drugs and composite material, the manufacturer may con-
nutraceuticals. The films used in this case should struct film food packaging films or medical de-
not only oppose moisture and oxygen, but also vice packaging films having custom protection
chemical leaching, sterilization processes and against particular environmental influences.
even radiations in certain instances.
How about a typical structure:
Note, flexible packaging in pharma is adverse-
ly affecting the inflexible packaging standards. Outer Layer (PET): Printable surface and me-
Firms are also embracing plastic films in their chanical strength
shelf life enhancement into blister packs, sa-
chets, transdermal patches, and biologics packs Middle Layer (EVOH or PVDC): The barrier char-
without compromising on the FDA, EMA, and acteristics of the plastic package
other worldwide regulatory requirements.
Inner Layer (PE or PP): Sealable surface and
Market Insights: Adoption Trends Across Food food contact compliance

66 PLASTICS NEWS September 2025