Tekni-Films makes robust case for TekniMD PX copolyester film series for life science applications

Tekni-Films (Wayne, PA), a Tekni-Plex business that supplies thermoformable blister barrier films and related products for medical and pharmaceutical applications, will showcase its TekniMD PX copolyester film series at the co-located Medical Design & Manufacturing (MD&M) and PLASTEC West event next month in Anaheim, CA. The materials are described as a cost-effective alternative to PETG for thermoformed medical tray packaging.

“The TekniMD PX film series has a wide processing window and thermoforms at lower temperatures than PETG, allowing thermoformers and OEMs to minimize their energy costs,” Melissa Green, Senior Director, Global Marketing—Films, told PlasticsToday. “Alternatively, a higher temperature profile can be run to achieve faster cycle times and increase throughput of the machine, potentially pushing off capital investments with the increase in capacity.”

Green also points to the material’s sustainability advantages compared with both PETG and PVC.  “TekniMD PX films are classified with a resin code 1 and can be recycled in the same stream as water and carbonated soft drink bottles,” she said. Recyclability and reduced energy consumption are often called out within companies’ sustainability programs, noted Green, adding that the PX films “allow medical device OEMs to make progress on their sustainability initiatives.”

Alert to the critical nature of maintaining a reliable supply of quality materials to medical device OEMs, Tekni-Plex has established a robust business continuity plan with dual-sourced raw materials supply and multiple validated backup extrusion sites. TekniMD PX films act as a direct replacement for both PETG and PVC, without the need for tooling modifications to process the materials successfully, added Green.

PX films are also available with an internal de-nesting agent, providing OEMs with superior de-nesting characteristics without the need for silicone, pointed out Green. “The presence of silicone can degrade the life of sterile seals, and the TekniMD PX MED product has demonstrated equivalent de-nesting characteristics while maintaining seal integrity in accelerated aging tests for more than five years.”

Demand for strong, impact-resistant packaging will continue to grow in the medical space, according to Green, and that bodes well for materials such as PETG and TekniMD PX. It’s penny wise and pound foolish to inadequately protect sophisticated, costly medical devices during transit by using less costly—but also less robust—materials such as HIPS or APET. Companies also are attempting to minimize secondary packaging, putting more emphasis on having protection characteristics come from the primary tray package. “This will require innovative designs and materials that can be molded to optimize that protection,” said Green. The TekniMD PX materials offer excellent thermoformability and will be well positioned to handle the design demands coming in the future.”

The benefits of TekniMD films combined with their cost advantage over PETG is getting the attention of OEMs, many of whom have started validation programs, according to Green.

At the trade show, Tekni-Films also will be displaying its ultra-high-barrier PVDC coating and a variety of other multilayer packaging structures that deliver the stringent oxygen and water-vapor barrier properties necessary to protect pharmaceutical and medical device products.

Interested in learning more? Then, stop by booth 2027 at MD&M West/PLASTEC West. The co-located event returns to the Anaheim Convention Center in Anaheim, CA, on Feb. 6 to 8.