Blister packaging is a versatile and cost-effective solution for various industries (especially the pharmaceutical industry).
If you’re interested in using these unique packages for your product, you might be asking:
“What materials are used in blister packaging?”
What is Blister Packaging?
Plastic sheets are heated and molded into particular shapes, cavities, or pockets to hold a product. Blister packs are similar to skin packs.
Blister package types are broad and have a wide breadth of applications for various industries, from electronics and sporting goods to medical products and cosmetics.
Complete Packaging Solutions, a turnkey packaging company that specializes in thermoformed blister package manufacturing in Brookville, Indiana, offers one-to-one design consultations so that you know whether or not blister packs are a good fit for your product.
Learn More: How are blister packages heat sealed?
What are Blister Packs Made of?
The core point of a blister pack is a piece of thermoformed plastic, a backing substrate (a cardboard or aluminum card), or another piece of plastic covering the backside of the package (formally called “clamshell” blister packs).
Blister Packaging is Created Using Rugged Polymers
- Polyethylene terephthalate (PET)
- Cyclic olefin polymers (COP)
- Polyvinyl chloride (PVC)
- Polyvinylidene chloride (PVDC)
- Polychlorotrifluoroethylene (PCTFE)
Blister packaging in the medical industry helps people take the correct unit dosage at the right time.
Are Blister Pack Materials Eco-Friendly or Sustainable?
Polyethylene terephthalate (PET) and recycled polyethylene terephthalate (RPET) are the easiest to recycle and are accepted by most recycling programs in the U.S.
Even more sustainable than thermoformed blister packaging is paper. It’s a plastic-free alternative that’s lighter and offers decent protection for your product.
Blister Packaging Properties
PVC is the most popular because it’s the cheapest. Granted, this price has been rising due to inflation. The trend is shifting towards PET.
COP is combined with other polymers (polyethylene or polypropylene) to create deeper indents or cavities that hold items firmly in place. It’s used frequently for medicines.
PCTFE is a laminated blister package used to form a barrier around a product, keeping it dry and moisture-free. This package offers less water vapor permeability.
PVDC is frequently joined with PVC sheets to create an extra layer of protection, preventing oxygenation or excess moisture build-up.
Why Use Blister Packaging Materials?
- Cost-effective.
- Maintains freshness.
- Security and tamper-proof.
- Eco-friendly.
- FDA-approved option.
Common Packaging Material for Pharmaceutical Products
The pharmaceutical industry requires durable, tamper-safe material for packaging their medical products.
The material is deliberately designed to be easy to peel open, tear off, or push through the lidding (tempered aluminum).
Contact Packaging Experts at Complete Packaging Solutions
Questions? Get a free quote from one of our manufacturing experts to see what the best custom package solution is for your product at (756) 547-1300.
