Show Daily Exclusive - The first printer capable of printing sealed blisters, the BlisterJet CMYK machine from Hapa (Booth C-4400), allows printing to be postponed and opens doors to new designs and product differentiation.
To date, options for implementing postponement for blister packaging have been limited. Existing technology can only print in two spot colors. The BlisterJet CMYK printer unleashes opportunities in customization for off-pack communication, personalization, codes and links that improve product tracking and patient compliance.
Utilized in a postponement strategy, the BlisterJet CMYK printer improves supply chain agility and the ability to comply with regulatory changes. When combined with the pull-production model of customizing products and secondary packaging regionally, the advantages multiply.
In a pull-production setup, a high-speed blister line or central blister production factory produces semi-finished blisters for several markets and utilizes assets fully. A BlisterJet CMYK printer in a near-to-line configuration can then customize the semi-finished products. Alternatively, unprinted blisters can be shipped to distribution sites where BlisterJet CMYK units customize the text and artwork to each order’s destination market, language and regulatory specifications. The printed finished blisters are then ready for final processing and shipment.
The drop-on-demand piezo inkjet system uses solvent-free, ultraviolet (UV) inks produced by Hapa Ink. All text and graphics are printed in a single pass. The print is cured immediately by an integrated UV-LED curing system, and the printed blisters can be transferred directly into a cartoning machine. Integrated pre- and post-print vision inspection is available, as well as a wide range of proven blister feeders.
As supply chain and stock keeping unit complexities increase, along with market volatility and regulations, a growing number of pharma companies are turning to postponement. Integrated inline or near-to-line, benefits include improved logistics, significantly fewer stock keeping units and less waste. Operations are leaner with improved blister-line utilization regardless of batch size and are more flexible, agile and responsive. In short, product ships faster.
Postponement yields genuine reductions in overall operational costs, especially in the disinvestment of resources. Other cost savings include freed warehouse space and a reduction of the labor capital tied to warehousing activities.
For more information, visit www.hapa.ch. SD
