Gerresheimer embraces virtual exhibitions and brings US-style plastic containers to Europe

20 Oct 2020 --- Following its exhibition at CPhI’s virtual trade show, Gerresheimer is aiming to adapt its entire communication for the digital world and “make it attractive for its customers.” The Germany-based glass and plastic supplier’s latest developments include bringing its US-type caps and containers to the European market.

Gerresheimer has also sharpened its focus on glass recycling, and unveiled eye droppers and twist-off syringe closures.

“A virtual trade fair is not a live trade fair where you can simply come by the stand,” a Gerresheimer spokesperson tells PackagingInsights.

“But that is also seldom the case with us because our sales department has pre-arranged meetings at live trade fairs.”The newly installed silos in Tettau can store 270 metric tons of post-consumer recycled glass.

The packaging industry has been forced to substitute brick-and-mortar trade shows with virtual events due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, with prominent packaging companies such as Sappi, Syntegon and Mosca having hosted their own.

Others including Mondi shared their latest products via virtual press conferences. Meanwhile, several companies are describing a “hybrid solution” of both physical and virtual trade shows as ideal for future networking events.

Bringing US caps to Europe
Gerresheimer is bringing production of Triveni, its US-type plastic containers, to Haarby, Denmark, to meet increasing demand. Now arriving to the European market, the plastic containers with induction sealing were previously produced in India for the entire world market.

The move will save Gerresheimer time, costs and energy, creating shorter delivery routes. 

“[Environmental] sustainability has many facets for us and our customers. It’s not just about what we produce, but also how and where,” says Niels Düring, global executive vice president at Gerresheimer Primary Plastic Packaging.

Renewed focus on glass recycling
Moreover, Gerresheimer is finetuning its efforts in recycling glass amid calls for more eco-conscious cosmetic packaging. 

Gerresheimer’s recycled glass for cosmetics have environmental and aesthetic appeal.The company has built two new 12 m-tall silos at its Tettau facility in Germany that can store 270 metric tons of post-consumer recycled glass fragments.

“In the future, we will need even fewer raw materials, have reduced energy consumption and lower CO2 emissions,” explains Kay Rohn, CEO of Gerresheimer Tettau, commenting on the glass recycling investment. 

The use of 3 percent cullet in glass production translates to 1 percent energy savings. Gerresheimer predicts the proportion of cullet used in glass production can reach up to 40 percent, making the entire production process “even more efficient and sustainable.”

The result is a cosmetics glass that boasts “the highest proportion of recycled material available” on the market.

New syringes and eye droppers
Outside of its plastic and glass production expansions, Gerresheimer is launching a new eye dropper called DropControl that prevents drug spillage.

Made from LDPE, DropControl helps prevent liquid spillage.“Our pharmaceutical customers want dosing accuracy and ease of use for the patient. With the development of DropControl, we are once again meeting these requirements,” the Gerresheimer spokesperson maintains.

The outer part of the DropControl pipette has only been changed slightly for this, while the inner part has been given an insert that is connected to the outer part.

DropControl is suitable for 5, 10, 15 and 30 ml formats. The bottle and the dropper are made of LDPE, whereas the cap consists of HDPE plastic.

Lastly, the company is offering its Gx RTF syringes with SG ITC twist-off closure produced by Stevanato. 

With this highly demanded technology, Gerresheimer is introducing an “especially user-friendly” system solution for Luer Lock syringes.The integrated seal cap consists an elastomeric component and a rigid, translucent polymer cap.

The integrated seal cap consists of two components: an elastomeric component and a rigid, translucent polymer cap. The elastomer component is inserted into the plastic cap, screwed together with a Luer Lock adapter, and pre-assembled on the syringe. 

The seal cap is screwed onto the Gerresheimer Luer Lock syringe to prevent accidental cap removal. The familiar twist-off function offers medical specialists improved user-friendliness without impairing the integrity of the prefillable syringes. 

The twist-off closure system responds to the containment needs of different drugs, including vaccines, hyaluronic acid, biotech drugs and other viscous drugs. 

By Anni Schleicher