4 Advances in Pharmaceutical Packaging Machines

Two things that are certain in the pharmaceutical industry are that demand for medicine will always increase and that competition between pharma companies will always be fierce. That is why it is so important for manufacturers to keep up with the latest advancements in pharmaceutical packaging machine technology.

New trends and technological innovations are driving these advancements, revolutionizing the way industry leaders understand and invest in medicine packaging machines.

Key Takeaways:

• Pharmaceutical packaging lines are implementing cutting-edge smart technology and AI-powered automation for maximum efficiency.
• Sustainability and customizability are also becoming top priorities, enabling manufacturers to support the environment to the best of their abilities.
• The best packaging machines help companies save money in the long term, particularly when used with durable and highly reusable product loading trays.

Innovations in Pharmaceutical Packaging Machine Technology

There are four particular areas of innovation that are shaping the current and future landscapes of pharmaceutical packaging machine technology. For companies looking to streamline or future-proof their packaging operations, it is well worth the investment to seek solutions that leverage these advancements to the fullest.

1. Smart Packaging

The ubiquity of smart devices and IoT (Internet of Things) compatibility opens the way to new packaging innovations that make the process easier for manufacturing teams and the end consumer. For example, packaging machines can generate QR codes or RFID tags to print onto package labels that personnel can scan with smart devices to improve the shipment tracking experience.

Using the right labeling equipment enables new kinds of smart packaging. Depending on the type of products, companies can use top/bottom/side labelers, wrap-around labelers, or front and back labelers in tandem with their pharmaceutical packaging machines. As a result, manufacturers can leverage the advantages of serialization and package aggregation while also minimizing the risk of tampering.

2. Sustainable Elements

There is a shift in the pharmaceutical industry toward widespread use of recyclable and reusable packaging materials. Modern packages are easy to disassemble for reuse and are biodegradable in an attempt to achieve a zero-waste packaging solution. However, pharmacy packaging machines need to be able to accommodate these new materials.

With that in mind, some companies take the opportunity to push their sustainable packaging strategies one step further. Not only are they making the switch to eco-friendly materials, but they are also using less material overall. They accomplish this by packaging products in thin shrinkwrap or using a banding method that effectively binds multiple items together with a single strip of packaging material.

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3. Customized Solutions

There are many types of pharmaceutical products, with each requiring a specific type of pharmaceutical packaging machine to prepare them for the consumer in the most efficient way. Different types of packaging include blisters, bottles, and vials. Additionally, different package types might use different materials such as plastic, glass, aluminum, or paper.

Traditionally, some pharmaceutical companies became locked into manufacturing products of a very specific type based on the packaging machines they are able to acquire and implement. Recent advances make it possible to customize the solutions that are already in place so that different packaging styles become possible.

It is possible to build one or more packaging lines that are modular in nature, with machines and elements that are removable and insertable. In this way, companies can customize their lines to manufacture many different types of products without the need to invest in more parts than necessary.

4. Automation and Artificial Intelligence

Automation is nothing new in the manufacturing process, but it is absolutely an area where rapid innovation is constantly taking place. State-of-the-art automation makes vial-filling and package-sealing more and more intuitive with each passing year, not to mention every other process from pre-production all the way to end-of-line operations.

In an interview with the Association for Packaging and Processing Technologies, Director of Custom Research at PMMI Rebecca Marquez explains the rise of AI and machinery advancements in pharmaceutical packaging machine technology.

“This year there are some slight changes in the emphasis that end users are placing on vision systems over robotics,” said Marquez. Vision systems automate quality control of pharmaceutical packages and their contents, and Marquez notes that manufacturers are turning to them more so than traditional robotic solutions. “We attribute that change to this immense growth in AI.”

Accessories That Maximize the Potential of Pharmacy Packaging Machines

Chemtech offers a wide range of products that can further increase the productivity of pharmaceutical manufacturing in tandem with the latest pharmacy packaging machine advancements. Hurst vial loading trays distributed by Chemtech International are multi-purposed accessories that not only boost the efficiency of the vial-filling process but also provide handling, loading, and storage functions without the need for additional accessory investments.

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Prefilled syringe manufacturers, for example, can use horizontal syringe storage trays developed by Hurst in combination with the latest pharmaceutical packaging machine advancements. With a design that accommodates manual or robotic syringe placement, these trays are versatile for many types of packaging lines and are great for both storage and shipping, especially with sustainable packaging practices like shrink-wrapping or banding.

Products That Advance Alongside Pharmaceutical Packaging Machines

Modern machinery is conducive to adopting advancements in automation, artificial intelligence, and sustainability. However, the production line functions as a cohesive unit, which means that other aspects of manufacturing cannot fall far behind on innovation. Packaging materials and methods must keep pace with what the most sophisticated tools aim to achieve.

Chemtech provides intelligently made products developed by respected names in the pharmaceutical industry. Our vial loading trays and soft gel drying trays are durable and convenient and often serve as a one-time purchase for companies that recognize their value alongside modern pharmaceutical packaging machines. Contact us today for a free quote and ordering info on any of our products.