MPN editor Laura Hughes sat down with Thomas Braun, marketing manager for packaging company rose plastic, to find out why plastic is an ideal option for packaging.
What are the major challenges for packaging medical implants, and how can these challenges be overcome?
One major and continuing challenge for packaging medical implants is certainly the requirement to package implants safely and securely. That is, to not only protect them from mechanical damage and ensure that no abrasion occurs, but also to provide effective protection from dust, dirt, humidity and so on. While the safety of the implant has to be ensured, great usability is also a must.
These challenges can be overcome with intelligent product concepts like our implant packaging solutions, which combine easy and intuitive handling during surgery with great protection of the implant. They are also perfectly suited for well-organised storage with minimal space requirements.
What are the big trends in medical packaging at the moment?
Of course, the mega trends in the packaging industry do not stop at medical packaging. The concepts of smart packaging, digitisation, and automation are always present and place high demands on the packaging of the future. In addition, there is the demand for packaging solutions that can save both space and waste. With our packaging we are well prepared for these requirements and will continue to develop innovative packaging with valuable customer benefits in the future.
How has the manufacturing of plastics changed over the years?
Modern equipment and machinery, as well as more intelligent ways of producing plastic packaging based on years of experience and specialised knowledge in the field, have led to more efficient, stable processes and product quality. Rose plastic has not only been one of the original pioneers of protective plastic packaging but has also been among the early advocates of total quality management since its introduction in the 80s. Since then, we’ve gone a long way by applying several kinds of production methods and working procedures that have helped us to become the leader in high-quality protective packaging. Overall, the way plastic packaging is produced and shipped today has little to do with how it was done 50 years ago.
What types of materials do you believe are currently the preferred options for packaging?
Plastic, due to its many advantages, is still one of the most economically and ecologically sound packaging solutions. For example, its CO2 footprint is much better compared to practically all other kinds of packaging. Rose plastic is constantly exploring promising alternative ways to use renewable resources to produce even more environmentally friendly products in the future.
How does rose plastic customise products?
Based on sound knowledge and a deep understanding of customer needs, rose plastic is able to develop customised packaging solutions together with its clients. Our internal design and development department, our own tool shop, and other specialities make for a great combination of expert knowledge that enables us to carry out projects in a most economical, time-saving way, and come up with solutions that stand the test of time and are designed to meet the requirements of reality. Our customers value the way we support them and work with them on their often demanding projects, bringing our expert knowledge, experience, and project management skills to the table that help them achieve their goals faster and cheaper than they could do it on their own.
In the next few years, how do you think the packaging of medical devices will change?
There is a trend to use less material, reduce waste, and simultaneously improve product protection. Also, medical devices have to be packaged in ways that are easy to handle, save time, and add additional benefits such as easy coding or tracking. Rose plastic’s TubeInTube is a good example of an implant package that does more than just package a product. It’s a package of benefits that meets our clients’ needs in improving the packaging of their quality products, thus adding value to their overall offering, helping them improve product image and quality, and generate more sales.