Amcor announced yesterday it has begun customer trials of the world’s first recyclable polyethylene-based thermoform blister packaging. The new packaging, which the company expects to be available in the healthcare market by the second half of 2022, is designed to meet the stringent requirements of highly specialised and regulated pharmaceutical packaging and creates a more sustainable alternative for the most in-demand healthcare packaging type. This innovation also benefits from up to 70% reduction in its carbon footprint, when compared to packaging alternatives on the market today.
AmSky eliminates PVC (polyvinyl chloride) from the packaging by using a polyethylene (PE) thermoform blister and lidding film. PVC can make packaging recycling more difficult or contaminate other materials if consumers attempt to recycle it. By removing PVC — while retaining all the benefits of pre-existing blister packaging — Amcor has created a new, recyclable solution that benefits the entire recycling process.
The company is currently working with several leading pharmaceutical companies to bring AmSky to market globally.