SÜDPACK Medica has unveiled a new mono-PE sterile barrier solution designed for life science applications, compatible with existing PE recycling streams and aiming to offer an alternative to conventional PE/PA/PE laminates.
Designed for use as outer packaging for process bags in sensitive cell culture and bioprocessing applications, the company says the solution has high resistance to mechanical stress and reduced migration risks. The development process sought to match the performance of a PE/PA/PE structure without the use of polyamide or other critical formulation components.
A screening life cycle assessment (LCA) conducted by SÜDPACK Medica showed a ‘significant reduction’ of over 50% in CO2e emissions compared with an equivalent PE/PA/PE structure, based on the reference systems examined as part of the project and the assumptions underlying the analysis.
SÜDPACK adds that the resulting tubular bags are manufactured in its ISO Class 7 clean rooms in Coulmer, among other facilities. Internal testing has shown that the film offers high puncture resistance, ‘excellent’ flex-crack resistance and reliable processing and sealing properties. It also maintains high levels of transparency and optical quality.
The company claims that for this application, the new film is currently ‘the only solution’ on the market that contains none of the migratable substances of concern found in conventional PE/PA/PE coextruded films, such as caprolactam, antioxidants, slip agents, and adhesive agents.
In April this year, Borealis, Hosokawa Alpine, HP, Leygatech, Bostik, Nordmeccanica and Karlville Swiss collaborated on a downgauged mono-material PE pouch structure, said to achieve a 10% reduction in total packaging weight through a thinner 15-micron MDO PE film and optimized low coating weight solvent-free lamination. Bostik told us more about the structure as part of an Innovation Spotlight.
The following month, Dr. Roberto Pela, business development manager for packaging adhesives Europe at Henkel Adhesive Technologies, spoke to us about the company’s recent cold seal solution, said to be ‘the first’ designed for barrier-coated paper packaging. Dr. Pela expanded on the solution’s R&D process and how it relates to PPWR concerns.
