Another distinction for PharmaGuard®: The polypropylene (PP)-based recyclable blister concept has now won the Swiss Packaging Award in the Sustainability category. On October 17, Jürgen Bodenmüller, Ivana Rocca, and Michael Hermann from SÜDPACK MEDICA accepted the award in Olten.
First, the German Packaging Award and the World Star Global Packaging Award, followed by a nomination for the German Sustainability Award in the Products 2025 / Resources category – and now the Swiss accolade: PharmaGuard® is truly unbeatable.
This innovative film concept is seen as a pioneering packaging solution for solid pharmaceutical products or nutraceuticals. “This pure PP-based blister solution is a sustainable alternative to the commonly used materials, such as PVC and aluminum. Unlike bottle solutions, PharmaGuard® also protects each tablet individually, just like a traditional blister pack.” This was the reason given by the jury of independent experts from the Swiss business community, headed by its president, Stefan Jüde.
The submitted packaging solutions are evaluated via a strictly regulated, two-stage selection process in the categories in which they were submitted. The focus is on comprehensive, forward-thinking packaging solutions, regardless of the material used. The participating companies must wait until the award ceremony to learn whether their concept has won.
But what makes PharmaGuard® so special?
Jürgen Bodenmüller, Head of Business Development and R&D at SÜDPACK MEDICA, explains: “By focusing on polypropylene, the overall concept delivers simple and effective recyclability, making a significant contribution to the circular economy in the industry. According to an LCA conducted by Sphera, PharmaGuard® is also associated with a greatly reduced climate impact (in CO2-eq) of up to 47% as well as lower energy and water consumption compared to other popular blister solutions composed of PVC/PVdC and aluminum.
This flagship product from SÜDPACK MEDICA also stands out due to its high transparency, stable shrinkage behavior, good processability on standard packaging machines, and a wider sealing range compared to conventional polypropylene. Another advantage is simple, secure sealing without the need for additional coatings – the result is a truly permanent seal which saves time, reduces costs, and also benefits the environment.
Another key safety feature is the consistently high barrier across the entire bottom web, along with the blister’s excellent push-through performance. “As with conventional packaging, a PP-based concept must allow weakened patients, such as seniors, to easily push tablets or capsules out of the film packaging without leaving residue, while still ensuring sufficient child protection. Achieving this requires a high level of application expertise and a wealth of experience,” emphasizes Michael Hermann, Head of R&D at SÜDPACK MEDICA. Sales Director Ivana Rocca, who also attended the award ceremony in Olten, adds: “The material is free from phthalates, vinyl, PFAS, and halogens, making it safe for human health. And last but not least, the absence of nitrosamines is yet another reason for pharmaceutical companies to choose PharmaGuard!”
About SÜDPACK MEDICA AG
SÜDPACK MEDICA AG is headquartered in Baar (CH) and is one of the leading suppliers of sterile packaging solutions in Europe as well as a pioneering partner for the global medical, pharmaceutical, and diagnostics industries. The company is part of the SÜDPACK company group and was founded in 1989. The core competency of SÜDPACK MEDICA is the development of plastic-based packaging solutions for sterile goods. The product and performance range of SÜDPACK MEDICA extends from standard solutions to tailor-made, customer-specific packaging concepts. It includes the production of coextruded flexible and rigid films, which are used as base and lidding films, and of pre-made pouch solutions for a wide variety of products. SÜDPACK MEDICA also benefits from the SÜDPACK Group’s long-standing leadership in technology and innovation in the coextrusion of polymer-based film solutions.
The production of SÜDPACK MEDICA products is performed at four sites in France, Germany, Switzerland and the Netherlands. These sites are equipped with the latest plant technology and manufacture to the highest standards of quality and hygiene, including the capacity to operate under clean room conditions.
For optimal support and collaboration with their customers around the world, SÜDPACK MEDICA relies on a specialist team working in quality, sales, development and application technology, one that has long-standing expertise in polymers and process engineering and in the market for sterile packaging. This makes SÜDPACK MEDICA a competent solutions partner for their customers when it comes to the implementation of packaging solutions, including those with the most demanding requirements.
SÜDPACK is committed to sustainable development and fulfills its responsibility as an employer and towards society, the environment and its customers. With its own site for processing biopolymers and its own compounding facilities, the SÜDPACK Group is also among the trailblazers in the production of forward-looking, sustainable and recyclable packaging concepts.
