Pharmaceutical Packing Foils

PLAIN ALUFOIL

• This specification covers plain foil, hard and soft temper, which also may be embossed – patterns subject to enquiry
• This specification also covers “converter” foil, for which a full, separate specification -as from our supplier- is available on request.
• Unless otherwise specified the alloy will be 1200, which is 99.00 minimum or “commercial” purity.
• Temper is normally either fully soft (annealed) or fully hard (as rolled).
• Gauge range normally available, subject to stock or procurement: 9 – 100µ
• The surface condition of soft foil is considered to be sterile (due to high temperature annealing).
• Soft foil is oil-free and free unwinding.
• The surface condition of hard is “oily” -unsuitable for some types of processing without special treatment – further information on request.
• Width, OD, Core type and size, are per clients requirements
• Cut sheets are normally not possible in this specification and are subject to special enquiry

UNLAMINATED HARD ALUFOIL, ONE SIDE VARNISHED AND/OR PRINTED, THE OTHER HEATSEAL COATED

• This specification covers pharmaceutical etc hard “blister” foil
• Unless otherwise specified the alloy will be 1200, which is 99.00 minimum purity.
• Foil temper is fully hard
• Matt or bright side must be specified for printing and/or clear varnishing and/or heatseal coating
• Gauge: usually: 20 or 25μ
• Heatseal coating weight as required – either 4-6gsm or 6-8gsm is usual. Heatseal may be tinted as required.
• Print/Width number of colours may be subject to enquiry
• Very low tolerance pitch repeat requirements are subject to enquiry
• Width, OD, Core type and size, are per clients requirements

UNLAMINATED SOFT ALUFOIL, VARNISHED / PRINTED, HEATSEAL COATED

• This specification covers pharmaceutical etc soft “blister” foil.
• Unless otherwise specified the alloy will be 1200, which is 99.00 minimum purity. Gauge: usually 30µ.
• Foil Temper is fully soft
• Matt or bright side must be specified for printing and/or clear varnishing and/or heatseal coating
• Heatseal coating weight as required – either 4-6gsm or 6-8gsm is usual. Heatseal may be tinted as required.
• Print/Width number of colours may be subject to enquiry
• Very low tolerance pitch repeat requirements are subject to enquiry
• Width, OD, Core type and size, are per clients requirements

PAPER / ALUFOIL / LDPE COMBINATIONS

• Foil used in this specification is normally 7-9µ, alloy 1200,soft.
• The paper is normally 40-50 gsm coated bleached kraft (cbk) to allow good printability.
• The LDPE is normally 30-40µ clear.
• Variations of paper and/or foil and/or sealant film are possible, subject to availability and enquiry.
• Some materials (including finished laminate) are carried in stock, others must be procured.
• Width, OD, Core type and size, are per clients requirements
• Cut sheets are not advised due to likely curling problems.

POLYESTER /FOI L/ POLY SACHET STOCK

• The usual combination for this product is 12µ clear polyester/print/9µ alufoil/30µ clear LDPE.
• Most often varied is the sealant layer which can be thicker – up to 100µ or more, white or any colour, or be another polymer eg Nylon or a co-extrusion eg surlyn or EVA.
• The main determinants of the final construction are:-
  • Packed shelf life expectation.
  • The packing machines abilities.
  • The product being packed
  • Marketing preferences (look, feel etc)
• This is a product which can be troublesome, so extreme care in choice of materials, testing, application is necessary. These and other aspects must be thoroughly investigated before packaging can be commenced.
• So-called “periodical inserts” or sample sachets enclosed in magazine/periodicals are of a highly specialised construction which afc is unable to offer.
• Specification, variations, all applications are, subject to enquiry and procurement of raw materials
• Width, OD, Core type and size, are per clients requirements