Performance plastics are booming in the pharmaceutical industry because of their durability, ability to be sterilized, easy machinability to exacting specifications and cost effectiveness — with materials that meet the highest USP and FDA standards.
Applications
- Tanks (water, chemical, fuel)
- Pharmaceutical pill and tablet production
- Intravenous and infusion devices — insulin pens, inhalers
- Blister packaging
- Pharmaceutical pouches for dose packaging of powder and topical medicines
- Strip packs for sample-size oral drug applications
- Medication tubes
- Parenteral packages
- Pre-fillable dose-measured syringes
- Tamper-evident and childproof closures
- Droppers
- Measuring caps and spoons
- Bottles for ophthalmic use, syrup, tablets, drops
- Drinkable single dose systems
- Vials
- Ampules
- Syringes
- Intravenous containers
Advantages May Include
- Can be sanitized with hot/cold water and harsh chemical cleaners
- Easily fit into self-lubricating devices
- Lightweight
- Complies with North American and European regulations
- Cost effective
- Nonflammable
- Delivers critical and emergency medication quickly
- Antimicrobial options prevent infections
- Versatile; easily machined to precise specifications
- Materials meet highest USP or FDA standards
- Dimensional precision
- Chemical stability
- Mechanical and temperature resistant
- Machines well for design functionality and ergonomics
Materials
- Acetal (POM)
- Acrylic (PMMA)
- Acrylonitrile-Butadiene-Styrene (ABS)
- Ethylene-Chlorotrifluoroethylene (ECTFE)
- High-Density Polyethylene (HDPE)
- Nylon/Cast Nylon (PA)
- Polycarbonate (PC)
- Polyester Terephthalate Glycol Modified (PETG)
- Polyetherimide (PEI)
- Polyethersulfone (PES)
- Polyethylene (PE)
- Thermoplastic Elastomer (TPE)
- Thermoplastic Polyester (PBT)
- Ultra-High Molecular Weight Polyethylene (UHMW-PE)
- Polyethylene Terephthalate (PET)
- Polyphenylene Sulfide (PPS)
- Polypropylene (PP)
- Polystyrene (PS)
- Polyvinyl Chloride (PVC)
- Polyvinylidene Fluoride (PVDF)
Sustainability Advantages of Performance Plastics
A 330 ml plastic pill bottle holds ~18 g of plastic, while a comparable glass bottle weighs 190-250 g. Transporting heavier glass takes a heavy toll:
40%
More transport energy
5x
Higher transport cost per bottle
Source: hprc.org
99.99%
Innovators have manufactured plastic using antimicrobial materials that reduce bacteria by up to 99.99%.
Source: plastivision.org
~10%
The ratio of plastic packaging weight to the product itself is usually only about 10% — far lighter than alternatives.
Source: bioprocessintl.com
Switching to a label just 10µm thinner is unnoticeable in performance, but adds up to real environmental gains. Avery Dennison's PP40 vs PP50 label comparison found:
11%
Less fossil material
6%
Less energy
4%
Less water
7%
Less greenhouse gas
Source: label.averydennison.com
iapd
the performance plastics association
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