Amcor adds recyclable high-barrier laminates to pharma pack portfolio

25 Apr 2022 --- Amcor has added High Shield laminates to its pharmaceutical packaging portfolio. The new low-carbon, recycle-ready packaging options deliver the high-barrier and performance requirements while supporting pharmaceutical companies’ recyclability agendas.

These new High Shield innovations include more environmentally sustainable pharmaceutical sachet, stickpack and strippack packaging, providing options in both paper-based and polyolefin-based materials.

The innovative material structure enables recycle-readiness in line with regional demands and supports the market differentiation efforts of pharmaceutical companies. Additionally, it enables manufacturers and packers to leverage existing filling machines with no required investments or efficiency losses.

“Amcor’s addition of more sustainable High Shield Pharma Laminates in its portfolio demonstrates our unwavering commitment to innovation for the healthcare industry, and our promise to the environment,” comments Virginie Maes, vice president for healthcare at Amcor Flexibles EMEA.

“To Amcor, nothing is more important in our healthcare packaging than delivering the safety and efficacy needed for medicine and medical devices that millions of people rely on every day.”

Global sales increase
Amcor points to recent research finding that global sales of pharmaceutical products will reach US$1.4 trillion by 2026, with the European market expected to grow 5.4% through 2028. Many of these products require high-barrier packaging.

The low-carbon, recyclable packaging delivers high-barrier performance requirements.The more environmentally sustainable High Shield Pharma Laminates options for pharmaceutical sachet, stickpack and strippack packaging will first be introduced throughout Europe to help meet this growing demand and address the circularity requirements established by the EU and regional governments.

Circular plastics
In other developments, Amcor recently announced it is the first company to purchase certified circular PE material using ExxonMobil’s Exxtend technology for advanced recycling.

The packaging giant will leverage this new material across its global portfolio, providing customers in the healthcare and food industries with more recycled content in various solutions and applications.

Increasing the use of advanced recycling materials, such as circular polymers, is one way Amcor is meeting its environmental sustainability pledge to develop all of its packaging to be recyclable or reusable by 2025. Using these materials will significantly add to the 113,000 metric tons of recycled material Amcor used in its packaging in the fiscal year 2021.

We also spoke to Amcor about how bakery packaging manufacturers are innovating to extend product shelf life while reducing material use as environmental sustainability demands continue to dominate the wider industry.

By Joshua Poole