New mono-material PET blister packaging launched

Blister packaging has long posed a challenge for sustainability due to its multilayer composition of plastic and aluminum, which makes it hard to sort and recycle.

Partnering with pharma packaging specialist Liveo Research, Bayer has launched a first-of-its-kind in the healthcare industry, polyethylene terephthalate (PET) blister packaging on its brand, Aleve.

Not only reducing the carbon footprint of this packaging by 38%, transitioning this packaging from polyvinyl chloride (PVC) to PET is a step forward in sustainable packaging as PET is a widely used recyclable plastic in other industries.

Bayer and Liveo Research launch blister packaging with Improved environmental footprint. (Graphic: Business Wire)

Launching first in the Netherlands, Bayer plans to replace all of its blister packaging with more sustainable alternatives. With the launch of this new blister packaging, the company is:

- Decreasing the per unit carbon footprint of this packaging by 38%

- Reducing factors that contribute to biodiversity loss by using 78% less water and 53% less land (per unit).

- Lightweighting the package by 18% (per unit) compared with the current packaging

Bayer is working across the industry in partnership with the Global Self-Care Federation and the Blister Pack Collective, and recently joined The Recycling Partnership, to accelerate progress and create systemic change.