Blister Packaging Film is steam sterilizable.
Press Release Summary:
Containing no halogen compounds, Topas® Cyclo-olefin copolymer (COC) blends enable blister packaging to withstand steam sterilization at 121°C for 20 min. Blends enable Topas COC-based film to be used as barrier material for sterile products. They combine Topas 6013 COC and polyolefin to create heat-resistant films that do not distort when heated and provide even wall thickness throughout. Ductility results in absence of sharp edges or whiskers when die cut.
Original Press Release:
Ticona Develops First COC-based, Steam-Sterilizable, Thermoformable Blister Packaging Film
New Topas® Cyclo-Olefin Copolymer/Polyolefin Formulations Withstand Steam Sterilization at 121°C for 20 Minutes
Summit, New Jersey; Kelsterbach, Germany, October 23, 2003 - Ticona, the technical polymers business of Celanese AG (NYSE: CZ; FSE: CZZ), has developed the first cyclo-olefin copolymer (COC) blends that allow blister packaging made from Topas® COC film to be steam sterilized. These blends enable Topas® COC-based film to be used as a barrier material for sterile products, such as single-dose liquid medications and other drugs, solutions and veterinary pills.
The new family of formulations combines Topas® 6013 COC and a polyolefin to create heat-resistant films that do not distort when heated to 121°C for 20 min. Films made with the blend are relatively rigid and have a low water vapor transmission rate.
"We've thermoformed films using this formulation into blisters as large as one inch in diameter," says Ekkehard Beer, Key Account Director, Packaging and Film for Topas® COC. "The new Topas® COC-polyolefin blends processed rapidly in automated equipment with a minimum of problems."
"These films have almost no shrinkage or warpage in thermoforming and provide an even wall thickness throughout. The blisters made are either translucent or white and have good surface smoothness and gloss. In addition, the blend's ductility means that its films generally do not create sharp edges or whiskers when die cut, so they should be considered for use in infant-care products."
Topas® COCs are highly pure, contain no halogen compounds, and exhibit good hydrolytic stability and extremely low moisture absorption. They also offer excellent biocompatibility and are low in extractables, so they meet U.S.P. Class VI requirements and have received U.S. FDA Drug and Device Master File numbers.
An FDA Food Contact Substance Notification permits their application in direct contact with all food types under all conditions of use. In addition to blister packs, prefillable syringes and other types of pharmaceutical packaging, they are good candidates for use in medical and diagnostic devices, optical components, capacitor films and printer toner binders.
Additional Information Available
For information on the new Topas® COC-polyolefin blends or on Topas® COC grades for potential use in blister packs and other applications, contact: Ticona, 90 Morris Avenue, Summit, New Jersey, 07901, USA. Phone: 1-800-833-4882 or 1-908-522-7500. Email: prodinfo@ticona.com. In Europe: Ticona GmbH, Professor-Staudinger-Straße, D-65451 Kelsterbach, Germany. Phone: +49-(0)180-584-2662 (DE) or +49-(0)693-051-6299 (EU). Email: infoservice@ticona.de. Or visit www.ticona.com.
About Ticona and Celanese
Ticona, the technical polymers business of Celanese AG, Frankfurt, Germany, produces and markets a broad range of engineering polymers and achieved sales of 757 million in 2002. Ticona has approximately 2,400 employees at production, compounding and research facilities in the USA, Germany and Brazil. Celanese AG is a global chemicals company with leading positions in its key products and world class process technology. The Celanese portfolio consists of five main businesses: Acetyl Products, Chemical Intermediates, Acetate Products, Technical Polymers Ticona and Performance Products.
In 2002, Celanese generated sales of around 4.3 billion and had 10,700 employees. The company has 24 production plants and six research centers in 10 countries mainly in North America, Europe and Asia. Celanese AG shares are listed on the Frankfurt stock exchange (stock exchange symbol CZZ) and on the New York Stock Exchange (symbol CZ).
For further information about Ticona and Celanese, please visit our websites: www.ticona.com and www.celanese.com.
