Alu PVDC Blister Packaging
Alu/PVDC blister is a high-performance composite packaging format that combines polyvinylidene chloride (PVDC) plastic film with aluminum foil, widely used in the pharmaceutical and food industries.
Alu-PVDC blister packaging is a widely used solution in the pharmaceutical industry. It combines the structural rigidity of PVC with the enhanced barrier properties of PVDC. This hybrid approach effectively protects medications from environmental factors, ensuring their stability and efficacy.
Alu-PVDC blister packaging is a specialized form of pharmaceutical packaging that combines aluminum (Alu) and polyvinylidene chloride (PVDC) materials to enhance product protection.
We focus on providing high-quality Alu PVDC blister packaging to ensure excellent moisture, oxygen, and contamination protection for pharmaceuticals during the packaging process. We use premium materials that offer high transparency and excellent mechanical properties, suitable for the efficient packaging of various pharmaceuticals. We are committed to providing customized packaging solutions to enhance product quality and market competitiveness.
What is Alu-PVDC Blister Packaging?
Alu-PVDC blister packaging consists of a PVC base film coated with PVDC (polyvinylidene chloride), sealed to an aluminum foil backing. PVC provides necessary formability and strength, while the PVDC coating significantly enhances the barrier against oxygen, moisture, and other external factors.
Alu PVDC Blister Packaging Composition and Structure
- Base Material: A multilayer film, usually made of PVC (polyvinyl chloride) coated with high-barrier polymer PVDC. Compared to standard PVC, this structure offers improved resistance to moisture and oxygen penetration.
- Lidding Material: A heat-sealable aluminum foil that provides additional protection against light, moisture, and oxygen.
Example Structure:
- PVC (200–300 µm)
- PVDC Coating (40–120 g/m²)
- Aluminum Foil (20–30 µm)
Alu PVDC Blister Packaging Features
- Enhanced Barrier Protection: The moisture resistance of PVDC-coated films is about 5 to 10 times higher than that of uncoated PVC films, thereby extending the shelf life of packaged products. Compared with regular PVC, PVDC significantly reduces Water Vapor Transmission Rate (WVTR).
- Compatibility with Packaging Equipment: These films can be processed using standard thermoforming equipment, making them convenient for manufacturers.
- Versatile Specifications: Common configurations include 250 µm PVC films with PVDC coating weights ranging from 40 to 90 gsm, depending on the required barrier performance.
- Regulatory Compliance: Manufacturers ensure the films meet pharmaceutical-grade standards and comply with regulations such as ISO, REACH, and CE certification.
- Oxygen Resistance: PVDC acts as a barrier against oxygen, extending the shelf life of oxygen-sensitive drugs.
- Cost-Effective: More affordable than Alu-Alu packaging (which costs about 50% more), but offers better protection than regular PVC blister packaging.
- Visibility: The transparent PVC base allows for visual inspection of the product, unlike opaque Alu-Alu packaging.
Alu PVDC Blister Packaging Applications
Alu-PVDC blister packaging is mainly used for:
- Pharmaceuticals: Suitable for tablets, capsules, and pills sensitive to humidity, without requiring the extreme protection of Alu-Alu packaging (e.g., non-effervescent drugs).
- Medical Devices: For small devices that require moderate barrier protection.
- Tablets and Capsules: Protects solid dosage forms from environmental factors.
- Over-the-Counter Drugs: Ensures product integrity and extends shelf life.
- Nutritional Supplements: For packaging dietary supplements and vitamins.
This packaging solution is widely favored in both hospital settings and consumer markets due to its effectiveness and reliability.
Alu PVDC Blister Packaging Application Advantages
| Sector | Application Advantages |
| Pharmaceutical Sector | Prevents deliquescence and oxidation |
| Reduces contamination risk | |
| Precise dosing and portability | |
| Food Sector | Barrier to oxygen and moisture |
| Maintains flavor and freshness | |
| Suitable for highly sensitive products such as meat and snacks | |
| Other Sectors | Suitable for moisture- and corrosion-sensitive items such as medical devices and electronic components |
HC offers a range of PVC/PVDC films suitable for the pharmaceutical and food industries.
Alu PVDC Blister Packaging Production Process
- Thermoforming: The PVC/PVDC film is heated and vacuum-formed to create cavities. The product is filled into the cavities and then the aluminum lidding foil is heat-sealed onto the base film.
- Mechanical Compatibility: Compatible with standard blister packaging machines (e.g., ABP-240 model), which support servo-driven indexing, PLC control, and rotary sealing stations.
| Stage | Operation | Control Requirements |
| Forming Stage | After being heated and softened, the PVDC film is blister-formed using compressed air or mold pressing. | Precisely control heating temperature — excessive heat may cause film sticking, while insufficient heat affects forming quality; cooling system must be highly efficient. |
| Filling and Sealing | After the drug is filled into the formed cavities, aluminum foil and PVDC layer are bonded under pressure in the heat sealing unit to form a sealed package. | Heat seal pattern design affects seal strength — temperature, pressure, and dwell time must be adjusted to prevent leakage. |
| Quality Inspection | Seal Integrity Test: Detect bubble leakage using vacuum water immersion method to determine seal completeness. | Seal integrity must be verified using the vacuum immersion method to ensure no bubble escape occurs. |
| Appearance Inspection: Examine blister cavity formation regularity, uniformity of foil coverage, and clarity of seal pattern. | Ensure cavities are properly formed, foil coverage is uniform, and seal patterns are clear to avoid defective products. |
Comparison with Other Blister Types
| Parameter | Alu-PVDC | Alu-Alu | Standard PVC |
| Barrier | Moderate (enhanced by PVDC) | Exceptional (near-zero WVTR) | Low |
| Cost | Mid-range | High | Low |
| Visibility | Transparent base | Opaque | Transparent base |
| Production Speed | Fast (thermoforming) | Slow (cold forming) | Fast (thermoforming) |
| Applications | Moderately sensitive drugs | Highly sensitive drugs | Non-sensitive products |
Limitations of Alu PVDC Blister Packaging
- Environmental Impact: PVC and PVDC are less recyclable than aluminum, posing challenges to sustainability.
- Barrier Limitations: Although PVDC performs better than PVC, it cannot match the near-zero permeability of Alu-Alu packaging, making it unsuitable for highly sensitive drugs such as effervescent tablets.
Alu-PVDC blister packaging provides a robust and reliable solution for protecting pharmaceuticals. It combines the formability of PVC with the superior barrier properties of PVDC, ensuring drug efficacy and safety throughout the shelf life. Due to its compliance with industry standards and compatibility with existing packaging equipment, it remains a preferred choice for pharmaceutical manufacturers.
