Rollprint Packaging Products' new Exponent film is the result of a collaboration between Ineos’ Barex and Rollprint’s ClearFoil. The material is suitable for pharmaceutical and other chemically-sensitive applications which require exceptional barrier and clarity.
ClearFoil, a barrier-coated polyester, is extrusion- or adhesive-laminated to Barex acrylonitrile-methyl acrylate copolymer to create Exponent.
Pre-made or inline pouching, lidding and flow wrap applications are anticipated to be the first commercialised package types for the material.
Compared with traditional foil-based high-barrier structures, Exponent’s reduced number of layers and gauge offer cost-savings and create an improved environmental profile for a wide variety of pharmaceutical products. The structure’s high-barrier and clarity properties also make it a suitable replacement for glass vials, where cost and breakage continue to challenge manufacturers, the company says.
The objective was to engineer a film that would meet performance requirements for pharma and other chemically-sensitive products, but use less material
'We have developed Exponent in collaboration with Ineos, the manufacturer of Barex acrylonitrile-based resins. The objective was to engineer a film that would meet performance requirements for pharma and other chemically-sensitive products, but use less material to help manufacturers’ meet their cost objectives. We also wanted to offer clarity attributes not possible with foil-based structures and give companies an alternative to glass vials,' said Dwane Hahn, Vice President of Sales and Marketing at Rollprint.
Exponent has been engineered to provide a chemically neutral, ultra-high oxygen and water vapour barrier with chemical resistance. Oxygen barrier levels are available as low as 0.0008cc/100in 2–24hrs and water vapour barrier properties are available down to 0.0008g/100in 2–24hrs.
Barex resins are said to combine superior chemical resistance with exceptional oxygen barrier properties, proven to be equivalent to glass in a wide range of aggressive applications. Barex can also be used in transdermal patch laminates for nicotine, chronic pain relief medication, hormones and other applications.
Rollprint says the transdermal patch, e-cigarette and diagnostics markets are the first applications for this technology.
Exponent is also suitable for single-dose delivery systems because of its high surface-to-volume ratio and barrier properties.
