Pharmaceutical packaging often includes containers with desiccants to eliminate moisture and ensure the shelf life of the medication. Airnov has now launched laser-marked desiccant canisters that do not require direct printing or labelling.
In the patent-pending process of the French company Airnov Healthcare Packaging lasers are integrated into the container lines. They mark at speeds of around 1,000 items per minute on two sides of the containers. Laser marking is carried out at the same speed as standard labelling or printing on Airnov production lines. High-speed cameras have also been installed for quality assurance purposes. 100 per cent of the markings on each container check for legibility.
„The markets for pharmaceutical and nutraceutical packaging continue to demand a very high level of safety,“ says Nicolas Martinez, Global Product Line Manager. „We have responded to this by eliminating foreign materials such as printing inks, paper and adhesives from the packaging system.“ Instead, a highly focussed laser beam now creates a combined thermal and photochemical effect that results in permanent marking.
Containers with laser marking comply with pharmaceutical regulations
The laser-marked white one-gram containers made of HDPE correspond in size and protective function to the standard printed and labelled containers. The rigid construction of the containers facilitates continuous filling and automatic insertion at high speed, according to the manufacturer on standard systems - in contrast to desiccant strips, which require frequent roll changes.
The small containers for insertion into pharmaceutical and nutraceutical product packaging can be filled with silica gel for moisture adsorption and activated carbon for odour control. 2-in-1 containers provide moisture and odour control in one.
The Airnov containers comply with FDA and EU regulations for use in pharmaceutical applications as well as the US Pharmacopeia-USP- standard for pharmaceutical desiccants.
„By eliminating labels and ink, we are also responding to our customers“ increasing demand for environmentally friendly solutions. And: sustainable processes create sustainable products that offer our customers the protection they need." Nicolas Martinez
The laser marking of desiccant containers is one of the first innovations to be launched under the new Airnov was launched on the market.
