TekniPlex starts multilayer blown film manufacturing

TekniPlex Healthcare is expanding its capabilities portfolio by commencing multilayer blown film manufacturing in a cleanroom environment. Located at TekniPlex Healthcare’s production facility in Puurs, Belgium, the new multilayer blown film line exemplifies the company’s strategy to develop higher-order barrier solutions per increased industry demand.

For TekniPlex Healthcare, the new multilayer line joins several existing monolayer lines all inside ISO Class 7 cleanrooms at the Puurs facility, for use in the production of cleanroom bags. The addition comes as some healthcare market players are shifting from food-grade resin-based bags to those comprised of pharma-grade resins produced in GMP cleanroom conditions. In addition, TekniPlex’ customers have expressed a need for higher barrier solutions requiring multilayer film/bag capabilities.

Some segments of the pharmaceutical and medical device markets demand high levels of cleanliness, either in their packaging or processing, to produce or protect highly sensitive products. To meet these needs, TekniPlex Healthcare produces low-density polyethylene (LDPE) bags that meet cleanliness requirements, with both film extrusion and bag sealing conducted in cleanroom environments at the Puurs facility.

All TekniPlex Healthcare cleanroom-manufactured bags are double or triple packed for use in cleanrooms, and can be individually labeled for supply chain traceability. Custom resins or resin blends, including custom additives, are available, as are certified sterilised products with Gamma irradiation.

The new cleanroom-housed blown film line is expected to begin operation in Q2 of 2024, with full-scale commercial production following shortly thereafter.

Bryan Wesselmann, VP of sales and marketing for TekniPlex Healthcare, said: “There is a growing demand for films extruded and bags sealed in cleanroom environments across various healthcare categories. The introduction of cleanroom production for multilayer blown films and bags at our Puurs, Belgium facility demonstrates our dedication to acquiring more extensive, market-responsive capabilities. This expansion aligns with our goal of increasing capacities and market share for our existing solutions portfolio.”