Gerresheimer manufactures sustainable primary plastic packaging

Düsseldorf, January 14, 2020. Consumers are placing great importance on eco-friendly plastic packaging products, specifically – and increasingly – on sustainable packaging solutions that can be disposed of in an environmentally friendly way. At Gerresheimer, therefore, innovation and environmental protection go hand in hand. A pioneer in the quest for greater sustainability, Gerresheimer offers an extensive standard range of plastic packaging and devices customized solutions made from PET, R-PET, and BIO-PET plastics.

With its high-quality packaging solutions made from glass and plastic, Gerresheimer serves all market segments of the international pharmaceutical and healthcare industry, also covering all aspects of beauty and hygiene. The company is conscious of its obligations to the circular economy and uses recycled materials to make plastic and glass packaging for pharmaceuticals.

PET and R-PET – making new from old

Most pharma- and healthcare products are packaged in bottles and containers made from polyethylene terephthalate, or PET, as the material is lightweight, versatile, easily moulded, and shatterproof. New packaging products can be manufactured from used PET, also known as R-PET (i.e. recycled polyethylene terephthalate). Gerresheimer has offered its PET ranges with various blends of recycled post-industrial and post-consumer materials (PCR) for years now and can produce containers made from up to 100 percent R-PET.

Gerresheimer is conscious of its obligations to the circular economy and uses recycled materials to make plastic and glass packaging for pharmaceuticals.

Stackable bottles – form follows function

Gerresheimer has developed a new, refillable plastic bottle made on behalf of a major customer. The bottle has straight edges like a cube, offering four sides. The result is impressive: a container that is exceptionally lightweight for this volume and can be stacked on top of one another in a simple and space-saving manner thanks to a recess in the bottom, which in turn reduces the CO2 emissions during transport.

PET-bottles could be made out of up to 100 percent R-PET.

BioPack – innovation and environmental protection go hand in hand

Right from the outset, BIO-PET containers are made from sustainable, renewable biomaterials such as sugarcane. First, the ethanol is extracted from the sugarcane plant, before being dried and dehydrated to transform it into green ethylene. This then goes to the polymerization plants, where it is converted into green polyethylene (PE) or PET. Under the name BioPack, Gerresheimer has launched a broad spectrum of plastic packaging for drugs and cosmetics made of biomaterial instead of conventional PE or PET. Innovation and environmental protection go hand in hand.

Biomaterials are suitable for the Gerresheimer portfolio of plastic containers.

Gerresheimer at Pharmapack 2020 – Expo Porte de Versailles

Gerresheimer will be showcasing its sustainable and innovative glass and plastic packaging at booth B60/B64, hall 7.2 at the Pharmapack Exhibition in Paris on February 5 and 6, 2020.

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Eco-friendly plastic packaging

About Gerresheimer

Gerresheimer is a leading global partner to the pharma and healthcare industry. With specialty glass and plastic products, the Company contributes to health and well-being. Gerresheimer operates worldwide and its approximately 10,000 employees manufacture products in local markets, close to its customers. With plants in Europe, the Americas, and Asia, Gerresheimer generates revenues of around EUR 1.4 billion. The comprehensive product portfolio includes pharmaceutical packaging and products for the safe, simple administration of medicines: insulin pens, inhalers, micro pumps, prefillable syringes, injection vials, ampoules, bottles, and containers for liquid and solid medicines with closure and safety systems as well as packaging for the cosmetics industry.