Flexipack

Almost all of us have used air bubble insulation materials at some point or the other. Even if you don’t really need to ship out multiple packages frequently, you might have observed some of your fragile items coming in with a bubble wrap.  This is to provide some delicate products sufficient padding and cushioning until it is delivered to the destination.  Various manufacturers and business owners need to use a bubble insulator to keep their products safe during the transit. After all, no one wants their products returned because of damage on the way.  That said, there are various other packaging materials that can be used to pack up a product. So what makes an air bubble insulation so special? The article attempts to explain the materials that are used to make it, the making process, as well as the advantages offered.  What is air bubble insulation? Air bubble insulation film is also commonly known as a bubble wrap. It is made of LDPE (Low -density polyethylene) and is commonly used as a wrapping material for a delicate product.  It was accidentally invented in the year 1957 by American engineers who made two plastic shower curtains which got sealed together and led to this fantastic idea.  As the name suggests, it is a multilayer film that entraps air within a bubble shaped hemispherical outer layer of the material. This structure/film provides soft padding or cushioning that is very advantageous when transporting fragile products. This is because the air cushioning absorbs the vibrations and shock and provides sufficient isolation to the delicate products.  The bubbles can be of various sizes ranging from 0.24 inches to 1.0 inches and are selected depending on the level of shock absorption needed. What is air bubble wrap made of? Air bubble insulation or a bubble wrap is usually made up of polyethylene (PE). Multiple sheets of polyethylene are placed one over the other and air bubbles trapped within. Here’s how the making process goes: Tiny polyethylene resin beads are first melted at a suitable temperature (over 450 degrees Celcius). At this temperature, they melt and combine to create thin polyethylene sheets which forms the base material of the bubble wrap.  These films are then flattened to a required thickness level. Further, the films are fed into rollers that have small holes in it. While the film rolls down, the air is vacuumed in it and pushed inside the holes. This is how air bubbles get trapped within the layers of plastic sheets. Once the air bubbles are blown inside, the sheets are passed through more rollers to seal the trapped air inside.  As a final step, the sheets are cut to the required dimensions.  Is air bubble insulation recyclable?  Yes, bubble wraps are completely recyclable. Various local councils collect it along with usual plastic recycling material.   Advantages of using an air bubble insulator Following are some benefits of using an air bubble insulation sheet: Insulates against shocks and impacts Bubble wrap is an excellent material when it comes to keeping goods safe and secure during transportations.  Various transit systems may include obstructions like bumpy roads, rough handling, loading and unloading, etc.  The bubbles of sealed air provide flexible and soft padding to the products thereby creating a strong barrier against harsh impacts.  Air bubble wraps come in various thickness options, which can be chosen depending on the type of product being shipped. Additionally, extra fragile items can be double or triple wrapped creating a sturdy covering.  Reusability Various household products come packaged in a bubble wrap. But that does not mean you throw away the wrappings every time you receive some goods. If you see the air bubbles intact, you can use this to pack other goods that you intend to transport in future.  This reusability makes it a very eco-friendly option as compared to other packaging materials.  Lightweight Amongst the various packaging materials that are available, air bubble insulations are the lightest in weight. Since the material is extra light plastic and mostly air, it makes a very lightweight wrapping material for fragile products.  This is an important feature during freight and air transports because the packaging does not add any extra weight to the goods, especially when bulk goods are being transported. Less weight means lower shipping costs which also makes it cost effective.   Cost effective Due to the easy production process and lightweight features of this material, bubble wraps are very cost effective when it is required to transport goods in bulk.  Flexible and versatile Due to the specific structure of the material (thin polyethylene sheets with air bubbles), the sheets can be used to wrap products of any size and shape and can be cut with scissors into any required form.  Applications of air bubble wraps Air bubble insulation is used in various industries and for various packaging materials including the following: Electrical appliances Ceramics Glass materials Precision machine parts Plastic molds Electronic goods like television, microwave, etc Surface protection for stainless steel products. Wrapping for aluminium construction material Thermal insulation for roof and air conditioning   Leading manufacturers provide various products under air bubble categories which include general purpose air bubble film, air bubble anti-static films, VCI (Anti-Rust) air bubble film, air bubble film laminated with EPE foam, air bubble film laminated with corrugated paper, air bubble film laminated with foil, etc.  Check out this link for more.  Final words It’s been more than 60 years since the bubble wrap was invented and it still remains one of the most popular packaging materials for various industries. With the boom in the “online delivery” options and eCommerce industries, air bubble insulation is arguably the most cost-effective and versatile wrapping material we know of.  Sources: https://www.smithsonianmag.com/innovation/accidental-invention-bubble-wrap-180971325/ https://sciencing.com/ldpe-plastic-6001216.html

Plastic is currently the main medium for packaging because it is lightweight and affordable. Previously, PVC was the go-to material of choice but that is no longer the case today. Advancements in science and awareness towards socio-environmental health led to the creation of polyolefin shrink film. Now POF is the most popular shrink wrapping plastic used across a vast range of industries. Why? The reasons are many. What is POF shrink film?  It is a type of translucent film or polymer plastic sheet that has become the preferred choice for packaging both edible and non-edible goods in the manufacturing sector.   The name “shrink film” was created because plastic shrinks tightly over whatever it is covering when heat is applied to it. Thus, “shrink wrapping” using shrink film. POF shrink film is made from POF which stands for polyolefin. In the past, PVC (Polyvinyl Chloride) film was widely used for shrink wrapping but it is slowly being replaced by POF shrink film. What is POF? Polyolefin is actually a group of hydrocarbons, i.e. compounds containing hydrogen [H] and carbon [C] atoms. It is often derived from natural gas or from low-molecular-weight constituents of petroleum. As a thermoplastic, the polyolefin is popular because it is extremely easy to mould, to shape and can be reshaped over and over again simply by repeating the heating, moulding and cooling process. POF also has several other good qualities which makes it safer than PVC. There are two main types of POF – polyethylene and polypropylene. These are further subdivided into several grades for different applications. What is POF shrink film used for? Polyolefin shrink film is used for almost every kind of application. Essentially, it is used to protect and package a single product, or to bundle multiple products together. It is particularly favoured for packaging less rigid items such as foodstuff, stationery, cards and electronic items, just to name a few. Qualities of POF shrink film The following are the extensive qualities that make POF shrink film a popular packaging material worldwide: Anti-fog Durable Versatile Seal-strength   Fairly low-cost Tear-resistance Low shrink force Puncture-resistance  Wide range of gauges  Excellent tensile-strength Can be pre-perforated – no air pockets Can be made from 100% recyclable material Clarity and glossiness – makes for excellent shelf appearance Stable – not as affected by temperature changes compared with PVC FDA-approved food-safe material – suitable for the Food & Beverage industry Ability to shrink quickly and completely – shrinks when heated resulting in a finished good as soon as it comes out of the shrink tunnel) Polyolefin is also available with different characteristics, including cross-linked wrap which provides high-tensile strength and incredible clarity for high-speed packaging applications, as well as prevents buildup on sealing components of your packaging machinery.  As POF shrink film easily bends to low temperatures, it does not deform, bend or collapse thin, flimsy or delicate products. This quality also provides excellent protection for irregular-shaped items. Common terms related to shrink wrapping Gauge – a measurement used to describe film thickness Shrink force – (shrink energy) the amount of force that the shrink film will exert on your product Tear resistance – the ability of a film to resist tear with forced exertion on the film Shrink tunnel – equipment that uses a chamber to produce heat with a continuous conveyor running through the chamber Centerfold shrink film – film that has been folded in half lengthways to make wrapping easier and quicker Crow’s feet – wrinkles diverging out from a finished package’s corners Dog ears – triangular projections of unshrunk film at the corners of complete packages (common in packages wrapped with PVC shrink wrap) Impulse sealer – a sealer using a heating element that is pulsed with voltage during the sealing process to mend polymer materials together L-Bar sealer – a sealer where the sealing surface is in the shape of a backward “L” Lap seal – making a seal using two layers of shrink film lapped over each other Machine direction – the direction the film is manufactured and moves through the sealing equipment Memory – the ability of a shrink film to maintain characteristics after sealing Optics – the visual properties of a shrink or stretch film Thickness conversion chart POF is available in various thicknesses, from as low as 35-gauge (0.35 mil) up to 100 (1 mil) gauge. Sometimes, the term “micron” or “mil” is used instead to indicate thickness. Here is a thickness conversion chart for easier reference. 1 Gauge = One-hundredth of a Mil 100 Gauge = One Mil Thickness 1 Gauge = 0.254 Microns 100 Gauge = 25.4 Microns 1 Mil = one-thousandth of an Inch 1 Mil = 25.4 Microns Industries that use shrink wrap Food: It is one of the largest industries that commonly use shrink wrap. Wrapping in shrink film helps to remove oxygen contact from the food and can reduce waste. Printing & Paper Products: Many companies in this industry use shrink wrap to protect their products and goods as well as to detect and deter tampering. Pharmaceuticals: Shrink wrap is used to help seal caps and detect tampering. Hardware & Housewares: Shrink wrap is commonly used to deter and detect tampering as well as bundle multiple products together. Electronics: The electronics industry commonly uses shrink tubing and shrink wrap. Miscellaneous: There are a variety of other industries and uses for shrink wrap. The marine industry, for example, commonly uses shrink wrap to winterize boats and protect them from environmental elements. Games & Sporting Goods: Manufacturers, resellers, wholesalers, and retailers use shrink wrap for wrapping a variety of goods and products. PVC shrink wrap is frequently used for these items. Differences between “shrink wrap” and “stretch wrap”    Shrink Wrap Stretch Wrap Definition To wrap an object with shrink film To wrap an object with stretch film Usage To create a seal that envelopes an entire object to protect it, especially from tampering To hold large items together, prevent them from shifting during shipment

Plastics have been a part of the Food and Beverage (F&B) industry since their invention. The invention of various new plastic resins that have been considered safe for food-grade packaging makes it a valuable resource for the sector. Plastic packaging techniques have revolutionized the food market.  The design flexibility, cost-effectiveness, lightweight, faster manufacturing, and longer shelf life make plastics and plastic packaging valuable within the sector.  Food product packaging has witnessed a significant transformation in terms of applications, and technology.  The article talks about some common examples of plastic packaging used in the F&B and the production techniques used by manufacturers.  Food and Beverages Industry- Packaging Challenges Plastics packaging has been a very visual part of the food industry. The market is very competitive and the need to continually come out with high-quality products that meet the stringent legal requirements of the industry is high.  There are, however, various unique challenges that molders and industrial packaging manufacturers face. Getting superior shelf life, food-friendly prints, and labelings, lightweight, etc are some key requirements.  Whether it is packaging dairy products, creating caps and closures, kitchenware containers, lids or flexible plastic packaging for candies, chocolate, the use of superior technology is a part of the production process. The use of plastic injection molding or high-end solutions like co-injection molding has now become an integral part of the plastic packaging and the F&B industry. Additionally, flexible packaging technologies used to produce Polyolefin, PET Shrink label, BOPP heat sealable films and laminate bags are widely needed for various applications within the sector.  Plastic Packaging Examples The availability of a wide range of plastic resins, each with their unique properties, makes it possible to find their applications in various industrial processes.  Right from shelf stable bottles, lids, food containers to packaging for frozen food and air tight films and wraps, plastics play a crucial role in delivering safe food from source to the table.  The range of machinery used by plastic packaging manufacturers is equally large and amazing. From “Blister skin and vacuum packaging machines” to capping, sealing, lidding, case tray forming,  cleaning, palletizing, labeling, and wrapping machines, the list is big and growing.  Various examples of plastic packaging for the F&B industry include: Bottles, trays, etc. Caps, lids, seals, etc.  Disposable cutlery, straws, etc.  Laminate films to wrap fruits, vegetables, butter, etc.  Tea and coffee box wrappings Laminate wrapping on cutlery and plastic kitchenware Plastic vacuum bags for milk powder, flour, vegetable oil, wafers, sugar, rice, bread, etc.  Production Techniques The use of plastics for packaging in the F&B industry is widespread. The section above provides examples of the use of plastic packaging technologies in our kitchen.  Plastic packaging can broadly be classified into the following: 1. Hard plastic packaging products–  These include bottles, trays, food containers, cutlery, lids, caps, etc. These types of products involve complex geometries and intricate labeling designs. The use of advanced molding technologies like plastic injection molding, co-molding, plastic part decoration techniques, etc has revolutionized the sector.  2. Flexible packaging and films–  These packaging techniques are used to produce various products that find a wide range of applications in the food industry. These include: Polyolefin or POF films– These extremely durable and versatile wrap films have replaced the use of PVC in the food sector. Being FDA approved, they are considered safe and hygienic for use in the F&B industry. Their durability, versatility, low production cost, high tensile strength, ability to shrink and recyclability makes them an excellent choice for food packaging.  PET Shrink Labels- These are used for outer wrapping and labeling of cans, bottles, glassware, etc. The flexibility of this plastic packaging material/film makes it effective to package all types of shapes and sizes. Scuff resistance, heat resistance, high gloss percentage, great shrinkage, and recyclability makes them a valuable choice for plastic packaging.  BOPP heat sealable films- These plastic films are used in packaging, printing and laminating food products and kitchenware items. The heat sealable properties make it a valuable technique. Various applications include candy and chocolate wrappings, straws, laminate covering on plastic spoons and forks, tea and coffee boxes, etc  Laminate bags- These are one of the most used products within the F&B industry.  Their widespread applications include vacuum bags for frozen foods; bags for powdered products like milk powder and flour;  bags for liquid products like vegetable oil; central seal bags for noodles, rice, sugar, potato chips, and various similar products;  3-side seal bags for ready to eat food, bread, confectionery, etc.  Final words: Food packaging is one of the most important aspects of the present-day food industry. Almost all types of food items consumed are sold in packaged forms. Good packaging is important to maintain the desired shelf life of food products.  The use of multiple food-safe plastic resins and a wide range of ultra-modern technologies make it possible to create food packaging that adheres to the legal norms.   

What is EPE Foam? EPE foam, or Expanded Polyethylene foam, is one of the most widely used plastics in production. What is polyethylene foam? It is a thermoplastic resin, which means that it can be melted by heating and cooled to form different shapes and objects. What Are The Physical and Chemical Properties of EPE? The physical and chemical properties of EPE foam are what give it its desirable characteristics. It is due to these properties that this plastic has avariety of applications in different industries such as EPE foam padding, EPE foam tube, and EPE foam sheet. Physical Properties of EPE Foam EPE foam is a harmless plastic and has no taste or odour.  It is a very popular material for packaging goods as it is light in weight and flexible. It has the ability to absorb shock and provide good cushioning to delicate objects. EPE has a high weight to strength ratio and high thermal resistance. It can be heated and melted multiple times, and reshaped into other new objects due to the high EPE foam temperature range. EPE foam is resistant to water, oils, and many chemicals. It is also a very good insulating material. EPE is available in different densities, according to its application or purpose. Chemical Properties of EPE Foam The chemical makeup of expanded polyethylene is similar to most plastics, and of the form (C₂H₄)nH₂. EPE is usually white in colour unless a dye or other colour pigment is added to it during the melting process.  EPE foam is also referred to as bead board in the plastic industry. It is a closed cell foam, which allows it to take up more volume and be light weight. Is EPE Foam Recyclable? Yes! This is probably one of the most important characteristics of foamed polyethylene due to the huge potential impact it can have on the environment. Expanded polyethylene foam can be melted and reshaped into various shapes multiple times. This is due to its high thermal resistance properties that enable it to maintain its chemical structure even when subjected to high temperatures and turned into molten plastic. This is a very important property of epe material that allows it to be reused and recycled, reducing the amount of plastic in the environment. However, there are very limited number of companies who offer recycling EPE, contributing to a very low global recycling rate. It is crucial to either melt and recycle EPE or compact the plastic in order to prevent burning of EPE waste or adding to landfills. Among the most common methods of recycling are reusing EPE or bonding and grinding of expanded polyethylene. Recycled EPE can be used for packaging material or as underlay for carpeting in large rooms. Why Polyethylene is Not Biodegradable The term in-biodegradable is used to describe polymers that do not break at any point to a natural, environmentally friendly conditions over biological processes.  A majority of plastics are non-biodegradable because plastic is widely used as it is cheap, durable and versatile.  However, certain conditions fasten the degrading process of polythene. They include: moisture, oxygen, sunlight, composting and biodegradation enhancement through reduction of the hydrophobic polymer, and an increase of hydrophilic properties. However, it is still an environment-friendly material as it can be easily recycled into new objects like EPE foam insulation. EPE foam recycling is a fairly simple process, which involves heating it until it melts and then reshaping it or remoulding it. How Is EPE Foam Made? As with most types of foam such as expanded polypropylene foam (EPP foam), expanded polyethylene (EPE foam), is manufactured by the application of high pressure, heat, as well as a blowing agent in a pressurized chamber called an autoclave. The molten foaming polyethylene material is then made into small plastic beads in a machine that uses water to cool and form the beads.  The resultant plastic beads are used as feed material and injected into specialized moulds under high heat and pressure to force the beads to melt and take the shape of the mould. The manufacturing process of EPE foam is pretty straightforward, and mostly involves the use of high temperatures and pressures in a sealed and pressurized container.  The leftover EPE material that is in the form of beads or defective pieces, or even material that has seeped through the material, can be collected and fed back into the machine to produce whole new pieces. This is how to make polyethylene foam and is the principle behind the recycling of EPE foam material as well. How is EPE Processed? EPE is usually processed by the following methods: Cutting, trimming, hot forming, and laminating. It can also be processed by other unique methods depending upon the application. Usually, customers require the EPE foam to be customized to a certain size and shape. This could be when they need to tightly pack some objects and the EPE must be cut in the form of the object. This is done by hot forming. Hot forming s usually done only in special cases where the quality of the finished product needs to be very high. Sometimes, EPE foam is laminated along with some other material and then cut and hot formed.  Is Polyethylene Environmentally Friendly? Polyolefin materials (Polypropylene and Polyethylene) have the lowest environmental impact compared to other material, traditional or synthetic products.  Polyolefin is formed from natural polyolefin resins. It has good electrical properties, acids, alkalis, good chemical resistance to solvents, resistance to environmental stress and good durability. Whenever you hear of plastic and environment, what comes in your mind is a picture of PVC (Poly Vinyl Chloride) binder lying in a landfill, toxic and unscathed, for a hundred years.  However, all plastics are not equal in this perspective. Fifty years ago, two new members of the polyolefin family were born; Polypropylene (PP) and Polyethylene (PE). The two plastics can do all the functions of the traditional glass, metal, paper or PVC.  They can be die-cut for presentations and packaging,

Static Shielding Bag / ESD Bag Static Shielding Bag / Anti-Static Bag Transparent Metalized Static Shield Bags are designed for packaging products that are very sensitive to low-level static discharges. The bags have an inner layer designed to prevent charge buildup and an outer layer designed to provide static shielding to protect contents from external sources of static charge. Bags are dark in color but transparent enough to allow for parts to be identified without opening bags. Static Shield Bags come in zip-lock or open-end styles and meet or exceed the electrical and physical requirements of MIL-B-81705 Rev. C TYPE III, EIA 541, EIA 625, MIL-HDBK-263, MIL-STD 1686, and EOS/ESD standards. Dry-Shield 2000 Moisture Barrier Bags are designed for dry packaging of electronic devices and uses the first structure approved under MIL-PRF-81705 Type I. Dry-Shield 2000 bags are made from multiple layers of metalized polyester and dissipative polyethylene. Bags protect SMD’s from moisture and static damage. Flexible structure is easy to vacuum seal. It is meets electrical and physical requirements of MIL PRF- 81705 Type 1, EIA 583, EIA 541, EIA 625, and EOS/ESD Standards. CALL US NOW CALL US NOW First NameEmailYour MessageSubmit

What is blister foil? Blister foil packaging tackles nearly all the issues concerning preservation and freshness of products. It is safe and user friendly hence, ideal for all types of medicinal wraps such as tablets and capsules. Resin for packaging applications is suitable for adhesive coat, heat seal and custom printed blister foil. Blister foil is of high quality and is specially created for: Protection of the product Convenience at spilling the pills The heat seal aluminum foils are coated on the bright side. 10 quick facts of blister foil packing Here are some of the main facts of blister foil packaging: It is resistant to humidity and moisture, hence, increases the shelf life of pills and related products It is of a premium quality. It has thickness of 25-28 micron. This makes it highly durable. All coatings are food safe, eco-friendly nature and meet USDA & FDA requirements for direct contact with food or pharmaceuticals. It is long-lasting It is the most cost effective way of packaging than other types of packages in the market. This form of packaging helps in assuring customers that they are buying the right product since they can see through the packaging. It is both effective and economical. Not only blister foil is portable it is also convenient to use. It also helps in preserving the product from factory to shelf and finally to home. It is ideal for protecting pills/tablets/capsules from UV rays, humidity and contamination. Blister foil is one of the many kinds of pre-formed plastic packaging. It is widely employed by packaging industry cross supplies, foods and pharmaceuticals.

Amongst all the foam materials, EPE foam is used widely for solving several industrial and residential needs. It is utilized for numerous functions due to their qualities that particularly suit their uses. EPE foam is extremely flexible and is capable of offering a high degree of resilience. Due to this, the material is used in the making of lot of products. Some of the products using EPE foam are as follows: POLY-FOAM FOR SHIPPING HATCHING EGGS: The foam is so light that it protects the delicate eggs from ping/crash into each other. It takes very little time, pulling the piece and cutting it as per the requirement. Adding eggs, tapping and boxing it, finished. You will end up saving a lot of money when shipping. It is manufactured by Laizhou Chengxin Packing production factory. FOAM TUBE: It is perfect for heat insulation. Therefore, it is especially targeted for industries such as air-conditioning and refrigeration. POUCH BAG: It is quite durable and long lasting, hence pouch bag is one of its best fit. It is waterproof, light and soft. It is used for packing laptop and related accessories. It is manufactured by Guangdong Star New Material. BAGPACKS: Xiaomi has come up with a bunch of new and trendy backpacks. One of them is Mi City Backpack. The fabric is made up of water proof material with soft EPE foam lining on the straps. INFANT CAR SEAT: Infant car seat, Astro has a comfortable cushioning and the material makes it light to carry. It is good for the newborns as well as toddlers who prefers to have their own personal space during travelling. ALPHA MAT: Alpha mat is an all purpose exercise mat. It is not only simple to use but convenient to store as well. Plus, it takes up minimal space in closet. TRAMPOLINE: Bouncing on trampoline is a healthy lifestyle. And if all the family members joins the “healthy lifestyle”, it becomes a fun activity. EPE foaming goes right into the making of healthy lifestyle as the material is also used in making of trampolines. LIFE VEST: EPE foam has an important application in life jackets. Its soft, lightweight and durable polyester fabric makes it the first choice amongst swimmers – beginners as well professional. NET MACHINES: Cambodian company, Mong Reththy Group (MRG), has recently ordered EPE foam-net machines. Their aim is to envelop individual mangoes in soft packaging material for long-haul shipments.

What is static shielding bag? Static shielding bag is designed especially for packaging new or used electronic components that are highly sensitive to low-level static discharges. An electronic component includes: Hard drives Processors Sound cards Microchips Motherboards Graphic cards Other forms of printed circuit boards Difference between anti-static bags and static shielding bags Often, in terms of understanding, anti-static and static shielding bag are interchangeably used. However, there happens to be a big difference between the two. Anti-Static Bags are mostly utilized for preserving and protecting non-static sensitive parts that are employed in electronics manufacturing. For instance, nuts, screws, wires, circuits, bolts and manuals are some of the things that can be safely kept in anti-static bags. Anti-static material prevents in building up of static electricity. However, the material do not protect from electrostatic discharge (ESD). Static shielding material not only prevents in piling up of static electricity but it also helps in protecting from electrostatic discharge. In a way, static shielding material has some amount of anti-static properties. Static shielding bag acts a metal screen around an electronic component to exclude electrostatic and electromagnetic influences. By mimicking Faraday Cage static shielding bag preserves and protects the electronic components Which one is better: static shielding bag or antistatic bags Each bag has its plus points over the other. Answer to the preference of the bag generally depends on the situation. When you are dealing with ESD (electrostatic discharge) sensitive products, static sensitive bags or the static shielding bag must be given preference. While on the other hand, antistatic bags can be used in situations where non-static sensitive parts are into the play. Antistatic bags can hold Tools Safety gears Manufacturing equipment and Spare parts In any case, the most important factor is to take a step ahead in protecting your workers by preserving your manufacturing environment, supplies and other related equipments.

Heat sealing lacquer for sealing the blister with the blister film The plastic push-through blister has to be sealed with a cover made of aluminium for the effective protection of tablets. For this purpose, heat seal lacquer, or any suitable sealing agent is applied to the aluminium foil. The aluminium foil is applied after the tablets are put in the individual cavities of the blister mold. By applying the right pressure, heat and time the plastic material of the blister combines with the heat seal lacquer on the aluminium foil. The two are perfectly sealed to protect the tablets from any environmental influences. To ensure that the consumer identifies the drug; a primer is printed on the blister package often other markings or manufacturer’s logo. Blister cover foil made of aluminium Both hard and soft aluminium is used for the push-through packaging. In the past, only hard aluminium foil was used because it can break easily and release the medicine with minimal pressure. The soft aluminium foil is considered children resistant because the film has high stretching power and, therefore, requires more force to flip open. This effect can be intensified by the use of a laminate aluminium with PET or paper. Cover material made of hard aluminium The European pharmaceutical industry prefers the hard aluminium foil of approximately 25 micrometers thickness. If the drug is to be taken, it can simply be pushed through the hard aluminium to push through the opening. The outside seal that is visible to the consumer is normally printed. In some instances, the inside sealed with the heat seal lacquer could also have some writings. It is mandatory to have a double coating with a heat seal primer applied with heat seal lacquer. The role of the primer is to ensure the heat seal lacquer securely adheres to the aluminium foil and is in line with the foil. The primer is dyed in some instances for marketing purposes. In such cases, the primer is followed by a heat seal lacquer. The heat sealant protects the medicine from the color pigments of the primer if it is dyed. The color pigments are placed between the heat sealant lacquer and the aluminium foil. The heat seal lacquer, color pigments, and the prime have to be perfectly matched. Cover material made of soft aluminium The use of soft aluminium is similar to that of hard aluminium foil. It is used when there is a need to protect children from accessing the tablets. It is preferable because it is soft and requires a lot of pressure to force open. The flexibility and thickness of the aluminium foil make it harder for children to open. Blister film made of a composite of aluminium with paper / PET Composite films of aluminium and paper and PET are used as cover films in the pharmaceutical industry. A paper of weight 40-50 g/m² is laminated with aluminium foil. Cover foils with paper and foil can be directly printed on the outward-facing surface of the paper. While the aluminium with paper is used as children protection in Europe, in the USA it is used as a peel-off foil, which is to be pulled down from the blister pack in one piece. This is referred to as peel-off-push-through packaging where first, composite of PET and paper must be removed before the tablet is forced out. For the paper to be peeled off as a whole, the aluminium foil has to be thicker. Trends in pharma-industry The pharmaceutical is fast growing with many people being able to afford medicine. With technology growth, companies are different and want diversified products. This has pushed technicians to become creative with the products, at the same time observing high standards.