Saturday | 11 January 2025 | Reg No- 06
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Saturday | 11 January 2025 | Epaper

Benefits of pharmaceutical glass for packaging medicines

Published : Wednesday, 23 October, 2024 at 12:00 AM  Count : 733
Ashikujaman Syed
The pharmaceutical packaging industry has always used glass as the material of choice for the production of safe packaging. Its characteristics of chemical stability and inertness make glass ideal for the packaging of medicines, from solids to liquids, injectables, and reconstitutables. Glass is a material that does not risk affecting the purity of the contents it comes into contact with, even when its outer surface is exposed to other products and chemicals. Therefore, its prerogative of being highly 'non-reactive' is very advantageous in ensuring that drugs are not damaged and that their properties remain unaltered. Lastly, when produced in an amber colour, pharmaceutical glass reduces light transmission and is particularly suitable for more photosensitive drugs.

In terms of composition, glass for pharmaceutical use can be classified into three main categories: Type I or borosilicate glass: thanks to its special composition, with boron molecules added in place of alkaline oxides, this type of glass is chemically inert and highly resistant. It is the ideal solution for containing all types of injectables and the most delicate treatments. Type II glass: with a sodium-calcium base, it undergoes an appropriate surface treatment to make it more resistant. This category is particularly suitable for solutions administered intravenously, such as infusion bottles.

Type III glass: a sodium-calcium glass, similar in composition to Type II, with a highly versatile use and suitable for both solid and liquid drugs, for oral, topical, or injectable use. Glass containers can also undergo internal treatments using silicone, which, thanks to its hydrophobic properties, reduces interaction between the medicine and the surface of the bottle, and increases the gliding performance of any external components (e.g., rubber closures). Additionally, external processing with lubricants can reduce friction and enhance impact resistance on packaging lines.

Hollow or moulded glass containers are obtained through a process of blowing molten material into moulds. The production stages of glass pharmaceutical packaging can be divided into several key phases:

Melting: The raw material, consisting of a mix of silica sand, soda ash, and other components, is collected in silos. This mixture is then dosed, combined, and fed into a furnace to be melted. The furnace is constructed from refractory material capable of withstanding high melting temperatures (around 1,600°C). Monitors and process calculators are connected to the furnace, allowing constant checks on operating parameters and raw material verification.

Shaping: Once melted, the molten glass enters thermal conditioning channels. When it reaches the appropriate viscosity, it is 'cut' into drops. These glowing glass droplets are dropped into moulds on a moulding machine. There are two primary moulding techniques: the "blow-blow" technique, which uses an initial blow to create a vacuum in the preform and then shapes it with another air jet, and the "die-blowing" technique, which employs a piston to create a vacuum followed by blowing to achieve the final shape.

Annealing: This phase eliminates residual stresses within the glass, stabilizing its structure and enhancing strength. Other secondary treatments, such as siliconizing and sulfurization, can be applied to improve product performance and make them more resistant to mechanical and chemical stresses, thereby enhancing in-line processing.

Mould glass is primarily used for containers for oral and solid drugs but is also extensively employed for parenteral treatments. High-performance borosilicate glass bottles are manufactured using advanced technologies, which provide greater chemical and thermal stability, improving in-line efficiency and product safety.

For tubular glass containers, packaging companies usually purchase long, semi-finished tubes, which are heat-processed into the final product. Several tubes are loaded vertically onto rotary machines, where they are heated and cut with high-temperature flames. The shoulders and mouth of the vial are formed first, followed by the detachment and machining of the base. Tubular glass vials also pass through an annealing furnace to alleviate stress from the hot moulding process. Their thin, transparent, and uniform surface makes tubular glass particularly suitable for freeze-drying treatments, ideal for producing vials for injectable or laboratory drugs.

Stringent quality controls are conducted throughout the manufacturing process, from raw materials to the finished product. Preliminary checks are performed on the composition and dosages of raw materials, including any cullet reused in production. Each individual piece undergoes manual and automatic checks for size, shape, thickness, and integrity. Containers deemed unsuitable are automatically ejected and recycled for re-melting.

Final inspections ensure compliance with labeling and storage requirements. The use of the latest technologies allows for comprehensive management and monitoring of the production cycle through computerized equipment, ensuring that quality meets the functional and aesthetic demands of bottlers, distributors, and consumers.

As the pharmaceutical industry faces increasing demands for environmental sustainability, there are now ranges of recycled glass products, particularly for Type II and Type III glass. These utilize certified external supply chains. Furthermore, innovative projects are underway to develop low-emission furnaces that reduce environmental impact. This shift towards a Circular Economy model promotes lower resource use, reduced emissions, and energy efficiency, all while maintaining the high quality and safety standards essential for pharmaceutical products.

The writer is a Business Development Manager, Fuyi (Xiamen) Material Technology Co., Ltd. Xiamen, China



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