Ampac launches new thick-gauge lidstock
for demanding pharmaceutical applications, promising extra
durability and protection.
Flexi 6864 is a coated polyethylene for physically demanding applications such as orthopaedic parts, cardio kits, diagnostics and other heavier medical device and sterile medical disposable items.
It consists of a thick (75-guage) polyester and a 1 mil foil layer to help create a high oxygen/moisture/microbial barrier for the tray's contents.
The extra thickness is also needed to contain heavier-weight items and prevent the contents from being accidentally exposed prior to use.
The product has been engineered to overcome delamination issues experienced with some competitive structures.
Ampac believes its design will ensure excellent performance through all production and use phases, including laminating, slitting, heat sealing, transport, end-use.
The structure has been engineered to heat seal to thermoformed trays made from a wide variety of materials including Barex acrylonitrile, amorphous polyethylene terephthalate (APET), crystallized PET (CPET), high-density polyethylene (HDPE), polyvinyl chloride (PVC), polypropylene (PP) and others.
Ampac, traditionally a retail-bag manufacturer, has recently made a concerted effort to diversify its business into areas such as medical and pharmaceuticals packaging, through a combination of acquisitions and internal growth.
Retail bags still represent about 60 per cent of the company's sales, but that percentage is shrinking as its medical and pharmaceuticals packaging, food and consumer business grows faster.
The medical and pharmaceuticals markets are fueling double-digit packaging growth as hospitals and drug-makers are breaking up multi-dose drug packs into single-dose plastic and foil packages that can be tracked more easily with a bar code.
Ampac is an international packaging company with nine operating sites in North America and Asia employing approximately 850 people with revenues in excess of $200m (€166m) annually.
