Medical plastic packaging films have promising application prospects, as they are widely used in various pharmaceutical packaging applications. These include tablet, powder, and granule packaging, as well as the lining of pastes, liquids, and medical cartons. They are also essential for packaging medical equipment. Common types include single-layer films and multi-layer composite films. In recent years, traditional glass and plastic bottles have gradually been replaced by flexible plastic films, especially for liquid medical packaging such as IV bags and plasma bags.
According to a study by Freedonia Group, the global pharmaceutical packaging market grew at an average annual rate of 4.3% between 1997 and 2007. In Europe, the total sales of the pharmaceutical packaging market reached $3.246 billion, with medical packaging films and bags accounting for 28% of the market. China’s pharmaceutical packaging industry has an annual output value of about 15 billion yuan, growing at over 10% annually. The use of plastic products in medical packaging is rapidly increasing, with the proportion of aluminum and plastic packaging for tablets rising from 10% in 1990 to 40% today. Plastic films have become a key development area in the pharmaceutical industry, with an estimated demand for plastic packaging for tablets and capsules reaching 4 billion in 2005.
A variety of medical plastic films are available, including PE (polyethylene), PP (polypropylene), PET (polyethylene terephthalate), PEN (polyethylene naphthalate), PA (polyamide), PVA (polyvinyl alcohol), PVC (polyvinyl chloride), PVDC (polyvinylidene chloride), PC (polycarbonate), and new materials like cyclic olefin copolymers (COC). Among these, polyolefins are the most commonly used due to their versatility and cost-effectiveness.
In terms of raw materials, PE remains one of the fastest-growing segments in medical packaging. Global demand for PE film is expected to grow at an average annual rate of 7%. The largest growth potential lies in anti-infective product packaging, followed by disposable liners and medical device films. Over 40 companies worldwide produce medical PE packaging, with the top five holding around 50% of the market share. LLDPE (linear low-density polyethylene) is the fastest-growing type, accounting for 52% of the total PE medical film market in 2003 and expected to reach 54% by 2006. This is due to its higher strength and ability to reduce material usage, leading to cost savings.
PP (polypropylene) is also widely used, particularly in medical device packaging. By modifying PP, significant progress has been made in the development of pharmaceutical liquid packaging bags. Companies like Montell and Huntsman have developed flexible polyolefins that meet the requirements of high melting points and good flexibility. However, these materials still require blending to improve their properties. For example, Adflexks 353 is often used as a surface layer to ensure strength and transparency.
PVC (polyvinyl chloride) is known for its chemical resistance and mechanical properties but has issues with light resistance and thermal stability. It is commonly used in infusion and blood transfusion bags, but concerns about phthalate plasticizers and recycling challenges have led to a decline in its use, especially in Europe.
PA (polyamide) offers strong toughness, puncture resistance, and chemical resistance, making it ideal for composite films. CTFE (chlorotrifluoroethylene) films are valued for their high transparency, flame resistance, and barrier properties, while PET (polyethylene terephthalate) is favored for its excellent mechanical strength, heat resistance, and clarity.
Composite films and coated films are becoming the trend in pharmaceutical packaging, as they can combine multiple functions such as moisture protection, gas barrier, and sterilization. Multi-layer structures allow for better performance than single-layer films, meeting diverse requirements for drug stability, safety, and durability.
Examples of representative products include LDPE-based flexible packaging bags, PP films used as inner and outer layers, PVDC-coated films for moisture and gas barriers, vacuum-aluminized films for improved barrier properties, and CTFE films for high moisture resistance.
Recent developments in foreign markets show that multi-layer co-extruded films are increasingly popular. Companies like Bemis, Winpak, Amcor, and Wipak are leading in producing advanced medical packaging films with up to 11 layers. These films offer better performance, precision, and cost-efficiency, and are widely used in North America and Europe.
Overall, the future of medical plastic packaging looks bright, driven by technological advancements, growing demand, and the need for safer, more efficient packaging solutions.
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