A range of benefits

Todd McDonald, Director of Sales and Marketing at TEQ, uses his design and engineering expertise to explain the benefits of thermoformed medical packaging.

With many ways to package a medical device, it may be hard to decide which route to take. TEQ, which has established itself as a global presence offering total packaging solutions, asserts that packaging a medical device by thermoforming offers a range of advantages.

Established in 1979, TEQ has more than four decades experience in the design and manufacture of innovative thermoformed packaging, and believes the benefits of thermoforming include product orientation, handling assurance, clarity, consistent opening experience, additional protection, and ergonomics.

Product orientation

A nurse may need to quickly confirm a product’s orientation and how to grab it. With a thermoformed tray, a nurse can be sure that the medical device stays securely in place in the intended location so they can remove it swiftly and confidently.

Handling assurance

To ensure a device doesn’t compromise sterility, a nurse needs to control the movement of a device as its package is opened. A thermoformed package is more likely to ensure there is no unnecessary rotation or accidental removal.

Clarity

A nurse can find it beneficial to see and identify the product clearly so they can better present the device or see any potential defects.

Consistent opening experience

Incorporating a good peal area in the package design can allow a nurse an easy access point for pealing the lidding back from the package.

Additional protection

 With rigid plastic, a medical device is protected in sensitive device areas. For example, a package can be designed so a syringe will not get depressed.

More ergonomic

A pouch can require both wrists to twist to open, putting repetitive strain on both of the nurse’s wrists. With a sealed thermoformed tray, only one hand is opening the seal while the other is holding the tray in place.

TEQ develops products for a range of markets, including consumer, component handling and medical from its ISO- and BRC-certified production facilities in the UK and central Europe. This includes state-of-the-art cleanroom facilities. 

As well as rigid plastic solutions, the company develops custom designed moulded-fibre packaging with a paper smooth surface from natural and sustainable fibre. Through its US-based sister company, the company also has significant expertise in both medical device manufacturing and pharmaceutical and sterile medical packaging.

The company is part of the NYSE-listed Sonoco, a global packaging solutions leader, ranked 48th in Barron’s 100 Most Sustainable Companies for 2019.

TEQ has design and manufacturing facilities in the UK, central Europe and the United States. This offers customers a truly global supply opportunity, with critical projects transitioned to more local manufacturing locations across the world.

With both the US and European manufacturing facilities having identical machinery, tooling manufacture, and impeccable quality standards, multinational customers can benefit from a single validation process, logistical advantages, exacting quality, repeatability and uniformity. The multiple locations can also shorten lead times for clients.

Nottingham is the manufacturing facility for the UK and Northern Europe. The manufacturing site in Poznan, Poland, serves central and eastern Europe. Meanwhile, TEQ in the US has manufacturing sites in Huntley, Illinois, and Fremont, Indiana.

TEQ’s production facilities are certified to ISO 13485:2016 and BRC/IOP Global standard for food packaging and other packaging materials. The company also adheres to FSC Chain of Custody requirements for sustainability.

Across its European business, there are 16 plastic thermoforming machines capable of punch and die and pressure forming, plus six in-line pulp thermoforming machines. The Nottingham factory incorporates a state-of-the-art cleanroom for the production of custom thermoformed medical packaging. The Poznan facility incorporates thermoformed plastic manufacture and a separate dedicated area for the manufacture of dry pressed fibre. There is also a 2,600-pallet capacity warehouse for storing materials and finished products before they are shipped.