Astellas launches sugarcane-derived blister packs on Japanese pharma market

19 Oct 2021 --- Astellas Pharma has begun using sugarcane-derived polyethylene as 50% of its raw material for creating pharmaceutical blister packs. The company says the move represents “the world’s first use” of biomass plastic for drug blister packs.

Astellas will start using the biomass-based plastic blister pack for its “Irribow Tablet 5µg” tablets on the Japanese market, which target diarrhea-predominant irritable bowel syndrome.

In the future, Astellas indicates it will continue to switch from conventional petroleum-derived solutions to biomass-based blister packs for other products, and seek new packaging materials “superior in terms of environmental sustainability.”

PackagingInsights recently spotlighted innovation in pharmaceutical packaging, which has experienced a surge in demand and innovation throughout the COVID-19 pandemic.

Blister pack innovation
Packaging for medical and pharmaceutical drugs cannot compromise on product safety. For example, blister packs for tablets are required to ensure product protection and usability. 

Notably, the packs need to be strong enough to withstand impact and have a high sealability to keep out air, while maintaining enough softness to be easily visible and separated. 

Innovation in this sector has been gaining ground. Klöckner Pentaplast, an international manufacturer of high-barrier packaging, launched kpNext, marketed as the only recyclable PET blister completely compatible with pharmaceutical manufacturing form, fill and seal equipment.

Meanwhile, Huhtamaki released a paper-based blister pack for pharmaceutical tablets and capsules branded Push Tab, developed with Syntegon. Made from renewable FSC paper, each tablet contains 75% paper material combined with a water barrier coating. The solution is designed to replace traditional polyvinyl chloride and aluminum blisters. 

In June, US-based Keystone Folding Box reported a surge in demand for its line of child-resistant, paperboard-based blister packs from pharmaceutical companies in India. The sales spike for its Key-Pak portfolio comes amid two parallel events: new environmental sustainability legislation in India and increased demand for child-resistant pharma packaging in the US – to whom India supplies some 40% of packaged over-the-counter and prescription drugs.

Ahead of Pack Expo 2021, PackagingInsights spoke with Maruho Hatsujyo Innovations, the US subsidiary of Maruho Corp, about its blister machine called Eagle-Omni. The company also detailed packaging regulations for medical devices and cannabis, and the COVID-19 pandemic’s impact on the sector.

Edited by Anni Schleicher