Application and characteristics of PVC/PVDC in pharmaceutical packaging

Pharmaceutical packaging materials play a vital role in ensuring drug safety and improving drug effectiveness. Among many packaging materials, PVC and PVDC composite materials are widely used due to their unique barrier properties and physical properties. This article will explore the characteristics, applications and future development trends of PVC/PVDC pharmaceutical packaging materials.

1. Basic introduction to PVC and PVDC

PVC (polyvinyl chloride)

PVC is a cheap and mechanically good plastic with high strength and rigidity, and can effectively resist the penetration of oxygen and water vapor. Therefore, PVC is often used as a substrate in pharmaceutical packaging, and the overall barrier properties are enhanced by compounding with other high barrier materials.

PVDC (polyvinylidene chloride)

PVDC is a transparent high barrier material with excellent oxygen resistance and moisture resistance. It can effectively extend the shelf life of drugs and prevent drugs from deteriorating during storage. Since the barrier properties of PVDC are much better than PVC, the composite structure of PVC/PVDC is usually used to further improve the protective performance of pharmaceutical packaging.

2. Characteristics of PVC/PVDC composite structure

The PVC/PVDC composite structure combines the advantages of PVC and PVDC, providing dual protection for drugs:

High barrier properties

The PVDC layer has good anti-oxidation and moisture resistance, which can effectively prevent the penetration of air, moisture and other gases, maintain the stability of drugs and extend their shelf life.

High strength and flexibility

PVC provides a strong substrate, which makes the entire composite material have high mechanical strength and flexibility, can withstand external impact and extrusion, and helps to protect drugs during transportation and storage.

Plasticity and transparency

PVC has good formability and can be easily processed into the required shape to meet different packaging needs. In addition, the transparent PVC/PVDC structure also allows consumers to directly observe the drugs for easy identification.

3. Application of PVC/PVDC drug packaging materials in drug packaging

PVC/PVDC drug packaging materials are usually used in blister packaging (such as tablets and capsules) to ensure the quality, efficacy and ease of use of drugs. The following are its typical applications:

Solid drugs

For solid drugs such as tablets and capsules, blister packaging can provide effective separation protection to prevent drugs from being affected by air and moisture.

Dose packaging

PVC/PVDC materials are easy to cut and can be flexibly designed into independent packaging for one dose and one bubble, which is convenient for patients to take when using and reduce drug waste.

Special drugs

PVC/PVDC materials can provide excellent protection for drugs that are sensitive to moisture, oxygen, etc., such as antibiotics, vitamins, special capsules, etc.

4. Environmental challenges and development direction of PVC/PVDC drug packaging materials

Although PVC/PVDC materials have significant advantages in drug packaging, their production and waste treatment also face some environmental challenges:

Sustainability issues

PVC and PVDC may produce chlorides that are harmful to the environment during the production process and are difficult to degrade after being discarded. Therefore, the industry is currently studying how to improve their formulas or find environmentally friendly alternative materials, such as chlorine-free environmentally friendly materials, fully degradable plastics, etc.

Reduce thickness to reduce dosage

Through technical improvements, reducing the use of PVC and PVDC materials to reduce environmental burden while maintaining high barrier properties has become the development direction of the pharmaceutical packaging industry.

Develop more efficient composite materials

The industry is also exploring the combination of PVC/PVDC with other new high-barrier materials (such as EVOH) to further improve material performance and reduce environmental impact.

5. Conclusion

PVC/PVDC pharmaceutical packaging materials have played an important role in the field of pharmaceutical packaging due to their high barrier properties and excellent mechanical properties. However, in order to meet the environmental protection needs and technological development trends of the future market, improving its formula and finding sustainable materials will be the key research direction of the industry. For pharmaceutical companies and packaging companies, only by continuous innovation and optimization of materials can they fulfill their environmental protection responsibilities while ensuring the quality of drugs and promote the sustainable development of the entire industry.