Ten reasons why TEQpropylene works for every medical packaging project

European sales director at TEQ Anne-Sophie Belamine lists the 2021 trends in medical packaging requirements, and why TEQ provides the right solution for any project.

For many years, PETG has been the ‘go-to’ material of choice for medical packaging for its clarity and sterilizing capabilities. However, with the ever-growing concern for recyclability and the California Legislation AB 906 changing the recycling classification of PETG, consumers have been looking for alternate materials to produce their packaging. Polypropylene has emerged as a great alternative material, and TEQ offers a unique blend of polypropylene as a packaging solution. TEQpropylene, or ‘TEQp’ for short, is comparable to PETG in many ways. Here are the top 10 reasons why packaging suppliers should switch to TEQp for your next packaging project.

Cost savings  

Compared to PETG, TEQp has a 30 per cent cost savings, making it a much more cost-effective material to use for most projects.

Lightweight 

TEQp is the lightest of all of TEQ polymers, resulting in a lighter, thinner but stronger finished package.

Versatile temperature range 

TEQp can be put through a microwave, freezer and anything in between without compromising the quality of the package.

Elasticity and Toughness 

According to design engineering consultants Creative Mechanisms, ‘Polypropylene will act with elasticity over a certain range of deflection (like all materials), but it will also experience plastic deformation early on in the deformation process, so it is generally considered a "tough" material. Toughness is an engineering term which is defined as a material's ability to deform (plastically, not elastically) without breaking.’ 

Clarity 

TEQp has a clarifying additive that makes this material comparable to PETG, so packaging manufacturers can take advantage of all of the qualities of PP without compromising on clarity.

Sterilisable 

Studies show that polypropylene can be sterilised with EtO, EBeam, Gamma (with additives to stabilize the material), and some autoclave, making it highly suited to medical packaging. For a closer look at what materials stand up to different sterilising methods, Industrial Specialties Mfg and IS MED has produced this definitive article.

Sealability

TEQp can become a complete sterile barrier system package when sealed a DuPont Tyvek lid. No sterility is compromised by switching materials.

Popularity

Polypropylene continues to rise in popularity with research showing that end users are buying more and more polypropylene for their packaging products because of its functional, durable, and clear properties. 

Sustainability

Not only does TEQp produce lower fuel consumption and lower emissions, but it also results in less solid waste by weight than PET, PS, or PVC. Brand owners including Starbucks and McDonald's have switched to the use of polypropylene in cold cups rather than PET, as it uses less plastic and lowers greenhouse gas emissions.

Recyclability

TEQp can be 100 per cent recycled as per the United States FTC guidelines.