"Using Aclar thermoformed blister packs can reduce package size and secondary packaging by an average of 50%"
The general manager of healthcare packaging at Honeywell Advanced Materials talks to us about progress towards sustainable solutions in the pharmaceutical industry, specifically the role of Aclar films. Honeywell Aclar is a packaging material that protects the stability of medications by providing a high moisture barrier.
What does Honeywell specialize in and what sectors does it work for?
Honeywell offers industry-specific solutions including aerospace products and services; control technologies for buildings and industry; and high-performance materials worldwide. Our technologies help planes, buildings, manufacturing plants, supply chains and workers become more connected to make our world smarter, safer and more sustainable.
The headquarters are in the United States. Does the company have subsidiaries?
Honeywell is present in about 80 countries and has about 750 centers.
What presence does the company have in Spain?
Honeywell has been present in Spain since 1966 and employs more than 400 people in the country. Currently there is a manufacturing center in Errenteria (Guipúzcoa).
What are the characteristics of Aclar films for the pharmaceutical sector?
Aclar® is a ready-to-use anti-humidity packaging solution designed to protect medications with high sensitivity to humidification. It is the most effective moisture barrier polymer available today and is a more sustainable solution because it requires less material to protect the product.
Aclar films are used in combination with other polymeric substrates, including polyethylene terephthalate (PET) and polypropylene (PP), which are polyvinyl chloride (PVC)-free materials. Its lamination and thermoforming properties allow a high density of tablets in the container, reducing its total size and, therefore, the total material used.
Using Aclar thermoformed blister packs can reduce package size and secondary packaging by an average of 50% compared to the same material packaged in CFF. With a higher density of pills per container, suppliers using Aclar can reduce raw material use, waste and total container weight, which can help reduce environmental impact related to transportation and costs, as demonstrated the previous examples.
What objectives do you have in the short and long term?
In the short and long term, Honeywell is committed to supporting pharmaceutical suppliers in their packaging selection. We have developed the Aclar Impact Estimator to assist the industry in its transition towards more sustainable practices, demonstrating the tangible impact that waste reduction can provide without sacrificing patient safety or medication effectiveness.
