Clariant launches new Mevopur color masterbatches for pharmaceutical packaging and medical devices that supports use of color to add differentiation, appeal while maintaining regulatory requirements

Liling Tan

MUTTENZ, Switzerland , October 5, 2010 (press release) – Designers and manufacturers looking to add a distinctive aesthetic touch to pharmaceutical packaging and medical devices can trust new MEVOPUR® color masterbatches and compounds from Clariant Masterbatches for creative colors.

MEVOPUR supports the use of color to add differentiation and appeal to a device or packaging while helping to maintain regulatory requirements. This enables a move away from the white and brown shades well-recognized in the market as standard packaging colors, creating new opportunities to give off-the-shelf medicines and personal medical devices a design edge.

“The same trend we have seen in the personal care market for achieving differentiation and shelf appeal through attractive color choice is now influencing the medical device and pharmaceutical packaging sector,” comments Steve Duckworth, Head of Global Market Segment Consumer Goods & Medical at Clariant. “Pharmaceutical companies comment that a well designed and visually appealing package can extend the life-cycle of a pharmaceutical product beyond what would normally be expected in particular after patent protection expired.”

Clariant’s capability as a trusted supplier is underlined by its long-term expertise in helping brand owners to develop plastic packaging with a high interest factor, in combination with its extensive experience in developing coloration formulations enabling manufacturers to meet the regulatory requirements of the pharma and medical sector.

All MEVOPUR color products are produced at Clariant’s three ISO 13485:2003 accredited dedicated centers of competence for medical and pharmaceutical applications in the United States, Asia and Europe. The facilities offer segregated manufacturing lines to reduce the risk of cross contamination. Segregated storage and change-control processes reduce the
potential for product alterations.

MEVOPUR colors can utilize pigments and polymers that have been pre-evaluated against ISO10993 and / or USP parts 87 and 88 (Class VI). These pre-tested pigments give customers the knowledge and support to minimize risks and help meeting regulatory requirements at all stages.

Clariant offers two approaches for customers to more creative.

Its global network of 7 ColorWorks™ design centers gives the packaging or device designer the opportunity to work with Clariant’s specialists to create a specific and appealing color.

Through early involvement in product development and color selection, ColorWorks can help customers to reduce development costs and time to market by shortening the development cycle and the potential for last minute errors. A number of other services are offered including color trending and color management.

For many years in the area of color trending ColorWorks have offered ColorForward™.

This tool has been widely used in the consumer markets and inspires color choice based on the latest trends and specific market and product requirements. The ColorWorks design team has access to the pre-evaluated pigments and the expertise of Clariant’s specialist team for the medical industry.

For projects not justifying the investment in custom design, Clariant offers a globally harmonized range of MEVOPUR standard colors for polypropylene and polyethylene as well as a number of other materials in development, where ingredients have also been biologically evaluated according to ISO10993 and USP parts 87 and 88 (Class VI).

Steve Duckworth concludes: “The pharma packaging segment has a complex set of requirements depending on the type of drug and its dosage form respectively the contact with the drug. In some cases, such as for a nasal spray, the packaging materials need to be biologically evaluated to USP Parts 87 and 88 much in the same way as the most invasive medical devices such as catheters, where the potential for leachables and extractables is a key concern. Clariant’s package of dedicated service and expertise, product reliability and innovative color performance gives the industry the confidence it needs to address risk potential and be creative.”

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