New pharmaceutical packaging film with high moisture barrier from Honeywell

US-based Honeywell Specialty Materials introduced a new pharmaceutical packaging film, the Aclar UltRx 600, which, according to its press release on October 17, provides the highest moisture barrier of any films of its type.

The new Aclar line product is a 6 mil, 152 micron thermoformable film that provides low water and moisture vapor transmission rate (WVTR/MVTR). As Honeywell said, this helps protect drugs in hot and humid locations, especially in climatic Zones 4 and 4B including many parts of South America, Africa, India, and Southeast Asia, while allowing pharmaceutical companies to standardize their product packaging with one solution that will work in all regions of the world.

As stated, Aclar films, including the UltRx 6000, can help reduce drug package sizes by up to 55% compared with the alternative cold-formed foil. Only minor adjustments are needed for pharmaceutical companies to apply the new film in thermoforming packages.

Based on polychlorotrifluoroethylene (PCTFE) fluoropolymer technology, the crystal clear Aclar UltRx 6000 allows companies to differentiate their brands as pills can be seen through the packaging. The see-through packages can also facilitate increased patient compliance with doctor prescriptions, Honeywell stated.

"This Aclar film gives pharmaceutical companies a clear, ultra-high barrier choice for their most moisture-sensitive drugs sold in the most challenging regions," said Jeff Czarnecki, Global Leader of Honeywell's Health Care and Packaging Business. "This new film will help pharmaceutical companies around the world protect their medicines, simplify their supply chains, and improve their branding."