African Pharmaceutical Review.

African Pharmaceutical Review.

Bayer and Liveo Research unveil innovative, eco-friendly blister packaging solution

Bayer and Liveo Research unveil innovative, eco-friendly blister packaging solution


Bayer, in partnership with Swiss-based pharma packaging company Liveo Research, has launched a new innovative blister packaging that decreases the carbon footprint of traditional blister packs by close to 40%.

The technology involves swapping the use of polyvinyl chloride (PVC) blisters with polyethylene terephthalate (PET), a recyclable plastic commonly used in other industries.

This transition is a big step forward for the pharmaceutical sector, as it shows a sign of improved environmental accountability and stewardship in an industry that has been previously dominated with allegations of widespread pollution.

Key advantages of PET blister packaging

  • Reduces overall package weight by 18% (per unit) compared to PVC.
  • Uses 78% less water and 53% less land (per unit), thereby decreasing the factors that lead to biodiversity loss.
  • Leads to a 38% decrease in per unit carbon footprint of this type of packaging.

The multilayer of plastic and aluminum that forms the main components of PVC blisters makes them difficult to both sort and recycle, creating an undue burden to the eco-system.

Therefore, the introduction of PET promotes sustainability in the pharmaceutical packaging space, which, according to Bayer, comes at no additional cost to the consumer.

What was said

"With the introduction of our PET One-Material Blister into Bayer's Aleve product range, we've proven that more sustainable blister packaging is possible on a large, global scale. Waste and CO2 can already be saved today," said Dr. Carsten Heldmann, CEO, Liveo Research.

Bayer’s Global Head of Packaging, Chris Padain, emphasized the company’s commitment to reducing negative impact on the environment through sustainable packaging while improving the customer experience.

"With its improved carbon footprint and decreased impact on water use and land, we're proud of this step forward in our journey towards environmental sustainability," added Chris.


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Partnering for synergy

To speed up progress and bring about systemic change, Bayer is collaborating with organizations throughout the industry, including the Blister Pack Collective, the Global Self-Care Federation, and most recently, The Recycling Partnership.

In addition to working with partners throughout the value chain to develop innovative packaging solutions and enhance recycling infrastructure, the organizations will collaborate in advancing research on novel approaches to packaging non-prescription medications and designing circular packaging solutions while preserving product efficacy, quality, and safety.

Conclusion

Bayer is rolling out its first eco-friendly blister packaging in the Netherlands, marking the beginning of an ambitious initiative to replace all current packaging with more sustainable alternatives.

By prioritizing reduced carbon emissions, Bayer is setting a new benchmark for the pharmaceutical industry.

This bold move could inspire other companies to follow suit, fostering a trend toward sustainable packaging across healthcare.

Only time will tell if this shift will gain widespread adoption and drive broader industry efforts for environmental responsibility.


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APR Team

African Pharmaceutical Review team dedicated to providing the latest news, insights and developments from the pharma, biotech and medtech industries.