A seminar on "Packaging with Aclar trends, technology and innovation" was organised by ACG Worldwide in partnership with Honeywell and its group companies Packshield and Pam-Pac at Scitech Centre in Mumbai on March 23, 2007. Representatives from leading pharma companies participated in the event.

Keynote speaker Pratibha Pilgaonkar of Rubicon Research talked about opportunities and trends in Indian pharma industry with respect to its foray into regulated markets and the opportunities for using Aclar as a barrier blister packaging material for certain novel drugs.

Steve Ervin, head of sales from Honeywell USA and Dr Anjan Ray, director business development from Honeywell India presented an overview of Honeywell's global and domestic business and product initiatives. They presented insights into Honeywell's technology leadership in a number of segments including specialty materials.

"Honeywell's approach to packaging is to think outside the bottle. We evaluate how each material in a package affects the performance of others. Honeywell has extensive experience with both flexible and blister packaging structures, as well as how to incorporate RFID technology to help brands and their delivery systems deliver on their promise and potential. Honeywell's packaging partner approach, coupled with the capabilities of the Honeywell barrier packaging analytical laboratory, will enable us to assist customers in the successful development and testing of their packaging and delivery technologies now and into the future," Ervin said.

Walter Grupp was the technical speaker from Honeywell and he presented various technical aspects of Aclar films and their usage for pharma blister packaging.

Delving on the unique features of Aclar, he stated the film possesses the highest moisture barrier of any clear thermoplastic film. It is bio chemically inert, chemical-resistant, non-flammable, plasticizer- and stabilizer free. Therefore we have a film that allows easy inspection for quality control, bar-code reading and on-shelf product identification, reduced medical errors because practitioners can clearly see what they are handling and administering.

Rajendra Khimsaria from Pam-Pac dwelled upon the blister packaging machines available for use with Aclar films and the industry is availing the advantage of such machines for packaging of their premium formulations in Aclar blisters.

ACG has been partnering Honeywell since last four years as converter for Aclar film and has developed Aclar business in India from a nascent stage to a point where all the major pharma companies have become users of Aclar laminates. This initiative has been in line with ACG policy as a trusted and long term partner to its valued customers for bringing innovative products to the Indian pharma industry.