Balancing patient safety, quality, and sterility with sustainability and recyclability is becoming increasingly vital in rigid medical, pharmaceutical & healthcare packaging. As the healthcare industry’s reliance on plastic materials for products and packaging grow, so do environmental concerns over single-use plastics and medical waste, driving demand for eco-friendly & recyclable alternatives without compromising patient care.
Rigid medical packaging must protect sensitive devices and medications from contamination, maintain sterility, and ensure durability under varying conditions. However, these needs often rely on materials that are difficult to recycle. The challenge lies in developing innovative, sustainable packaging solutions that uphold rigorous safety and quality standards while addressing the global push for greener practices, promoting a healthier planet alongside patient well-being.
Importance of Sterility in Medical Packaging
Sterility in medical packaging is paramount, as it directly impacts patient safety and the effectiveness of healthcare procedures. Medical devices, pharmaceuticals, and supplies must remain free from microbial contamination to prevent infections and ensure they perform as intended in sterile environments like hospitals and clinics. Effective sterile packaging provides a robust barrier against bacteria, viruses, and other contaminants from the manufacturing floor to the point of care, often requiring strict adherence to sterilization standards and regulatory compliance. Without assured sterility, the risk of infection and complications rises, compromising patient outcomes and undermining the integrity of healthcare systems. Thus, sterile medical packaging is essential to safe, reliable, and high-quality patient care.
Rise in Sustainability Concerns in Medical Packaging
Sustainability in medical packaging is becoming a critical focus as the healthcare industry recognizes its environmental impact, particularly through the widespread use of single-use plastics and the lack of recycling in healthcare settings. The increase in medical waste, coupled with global efforts to reduce carbon footprints and minimize landfill contributions, is driving healthcare providers and manufacturers to seek recyclable alternatives. As a result, there is a growing push to develop recyclable packaging that maintains the essential protective and sterile properties required for use in healthcare applications. Innovations in materials science and packaging design are paving the way for sustainable solutions, balancing environmental responsibility with the industry’s need for safety, sterility, and durability.
As such, medical device OEMS and medical thermoforming companies have been in search of alternative solutions to materials like PETG & PS. These materials have been a mainstay in medical packaging for decades and have performed from a safety, quality, and product protection perspective, but have recently been highlighted as challenging materials from a recycling perspective.
Recycle Ready Modified APET Solutions for Medical Packaging
As medical OEMs and thermoforming companies search for more sustainable solutions, Modified APET materials have emerged to offer companies a recycle-ready solution (RIC #1) as a replacement to non-recyclable PETG, without sacrifice to packaging performance, processability, quality, or sterility.
Use of PET offers several benefits for use in medical packaging including:
- Exceptional Clarity: PET offers high transparency, allowing easy visibility and inspection of medical contents without compromising packaging integrity.
- Strong Barrier Properties: PET provides a robust barrier against contaminants, moisture, and gases, protecting sensitive medical products and maintaining sterility.
- Durability: PET offers good impact-resistance, ensuring durability during transport and handling to keep sensitive medical devices safe during transport.
- Recyclable and Environmentally Friendly: PET is widely recyclable, supporting sustainability efforts and reducing the environmental impact associated with medical packaging waste.
- Chemical Resistance: PET resists chemicals and solvents, ensuring product compatibility and preventing reactions with medical substances.
- Low Leachability: PET’s low leachability minimizes the risk of contamination, making it ideal for storing pharmaceuticals and sensitive medical products safely.
- FDA Approved for Medical Use: PET is FDA-approved for use in medical applications, ensuring compliance with safety and quality regulations.
Modified APET from Impact Plastics
1520M APET is a sustainable, recycle-ready, cost-effective alternative to PETG in medical & pharmaceutical packaging applications that ensures a direct hassle-free replacement for streamlined integration into existing systems & processes.
1520M APET from Impact Plastics is designed in conformance with accepted medical packaging industry standards offering:
- Wide processing window for flexibility in manufacturing conditions
- Reduced processing temperatures compared to PETG
- Improved cycle times vs PETG
- Fully recyclable using Resin ID Code #1
- Compatibility with various sterilization processes including EtO, electron beam & gamma radiation
Download the 1520M Modified APET Datasheet to learn more about how you can take the next step to recycle-ready medical packaging:
