AmSky from Amcor removes PVC in healthcare packaging, which can be problematic to recycle using conventional methods, with thermoformed polyethylene (PE) blister and lidding film

Amcor began trials with AmSky customers, calling it the world’s first recyclable poly-based thermoformed blister pack.

Designed to meet regulatory requirements for pharmaceutical packaging, the product “creates a more sustainable alternative to the most sought-after type of sanitary packaging,” Amcor noted. This innovation also achieves a reduction of up to 70% in the carbon footprint compared to packaging alternatives currently on the market.

AmSky has replaced the PVC in the packaging with a recycled Polyethylene (PE) thermoformed blister and a lidding film. PVC can make it difficult to recycle packaging or contaminate other materials if consumers try to recycle it, Amcor reported.

Amcor announced that the AmSky blister generates almost two billion in annual sales in the healthcare market, “this new blister packaging solution will significantly enhance the ability of pharmaceutical and healthcare brands to put sustainability on the market. the center of their business, ”said Peter Konieczny, the company’s commercial director.

He also pointed out that he is currently working with several leading pharmaceutical companies to bring AmSky to global markets and is expected to be available in the healthcare market in the second half of 2022.

Notably, the recyclability of the material was verified by cyclos-HTP, an organization based in Aachen, Germany, which provides independent assessment and certification of such environmental claims. The carbon footprint reduction is based on an asset life cycle assessment of a standard PVC blister with aluminum foil cap compared to Amcor’s AmSky PE blister and cap film.