Healthcare Packaging & Processing Conference Features ASTM, Open-SCS Updates and More

With regulation deadlines looming and new developments in test methods, speakers offered expert advice on serialization, packaging standards, cold chain distribution and more.

Keren Sookne
Feb 28th, 2017
The Healthcare Packaging & Processing Conference (Feb. 27 and 28) at the Pennsylvania Convention Center, co-located with PACK EXPO East in Philadelphia, featured speakers with a wide variety of expertise.
The Healthcare Packaging & Processing Conference (Feb. 27 and 28) at the Pennsylvania Convention Center, co-located with PACK EXPO East in Philadelphia, featured speakers with a wide variety of expertise.

The Healthcare Packaging & Processing Conference (Feb. 27 and 28) at the Pennsylvania Convention Center, co-located with PACK EXPO East in Philadelphia, featured speakers with a wide variety of expertise.

Chris J. Anderson, Director of Quality Systems at Cardinal Health presented a case study on Cardinal’s sustainable and cost-effective cold chain strategy, focusing on last mile pharmacy and hospital deliveries as well as bulk customer shipments and ground and air replenishment. Switching to cold chain totes with phase change panels lead to a 90% reduction in product damage costs, while customized cold chain pallet shippers allowed the company to ship controlled room temperature (CRT) and refrigerated product to be shipped together to maximize truck payloads.

As Executive Director of the Open Serialization Communication Standard (Open-SCS) Group, Marcel de Grutter offered an introduction and current update on how the non-profit is moving to allow functional interoperability of serialization solutions, in order to seamlessly integrate the operations and business processes across organizations.

Desmond G. Hunt, MS, PhD, Senior Scientific Liaison at US Pharmacopeia and Dhuanne Dodrill, President of Rollprint and Chair of ASTM International's Committee F02 on Primary Barrier Packaging, each offered updates on revisions to packaging standards from their respective organizations. Dr. Hunt offered perspective on packaging material standards for glass, plastic, elastomer and metal, with new methods focused on the interactions between the drug products and the materials of construction. Dodrill spoke about numerous revisions to ASTM packaging standards, including:

  • F2097 Guide for Design and Evaluation of Primary Flexible Packaging Medical Products.

  • D4169 Performance Testing of Shipping Containers and Systems, which includes a variety of anticipated hazard elements and 2016 updates to reflect current data on truck transportation random vibration profiles.

  • F2029 Making Heatseals, which was completely rewritten and now includes a practice for impulse seals.

Jean-Pierre Allard, Chief Technology Officer at Optel Vision, spoke about enabling faster implementation of serialization through the use of Optel Vision’s series of pre-configured modules that align with applicable requirements.

Companies in this article
Paxxus, formerly Rollprint Packaging Products, Inc.
Optel Vision
ASTM International
Burgess Davis, Vice President, Global Sustainable Plastics, PepsiCo
PepsiCo Partners to Prevent Ocean Plastics in Thailand
Burgess Davis, VP, Global Sustainable Plastics at PepsiCo, shares how The PepsiCo Foundation has joined TerraCycle to dramatically reduce the volume of marine debris and plastic waste found in the world’s waterways.
Sep 22nd, 2020
The new line from Seventh Generation includes powders as well as tablets.
Plastic-free Packaging for Homecare Line
Kelly Murosky, Senior Packaging Engineer at Seventh Generation, the Burlington, Vt.-based firm that sells eco-friendly cleaning, paper, and personal care products, talks about the packaging for the new Zero Plastic Homecare line.
Sep 22nd, 2020
Horizon’s Tillson says the versatile Criterion CL-240 cartoner was enhanced with safety features, which allow its blind employees to successfully operate the machinery.
Custom Cartoner Helps Employ the Blind
As a non-profit with a mission to create jobs, automation can be a tricky proposition. But with a custom machine optimized to be easily used by legally blind operators, Horizon Industries struck a positive balance between labor and automation.
Sep 21st, 2020
Digital shopping services are here to stay, Daymon notes. Therefore, it advises private brands and retailers to be on the forefront of e-commerce.
Five Keys to Private-Brand Success in the ‘New Normal’
White paper explains those consumer behavior shifts that have occurred due to COVID-19 and advises ways private brands and retailers can address these fundamental changes moving forward.
Sep 21st, 2020
Getty Images 914921068
When Will AI be Common in Manufacturing?
Companies want to rely less on skilled labor and more on AI and machine intelligence, but currently only 1% of all manufacturers are utilizing this technology in their operations.
Sep 18th, 2020
Getty Images 1157106624
Industry Snapshot: Organic and Natural Products
The natural and organic industry is expected to grow 9.5% in 2020, to $252 billion. Supplements and plant-based proteins are two fast-growing categories.
Sep 18th, 2020
Jim Chrzan 2
New Package Ideas for the E-Commerce Space
Join Jim Chrzan, PMMI Media Groups' VP of Content, as he discusses disruptive e-commerce packaging ideas from around the globe at ISTA's Omni-Channel Packaging Strategies Webinar.
Sep 17th, 2020
Richard Harrison (l.), partner and CEO, and Andrew Cawthray Chairman and joint CEO, Cawingredients
New Canning Line for Contract Filler Fuels Future Business
U.K. beverage co-packer Cawingredients installs canning line that achieves 99.9% performance and offers flexibility for a variety of can formats and secondary packaging.
Sep 16th, 2020
Quest developed a flexible robotic system to load meat and poultry into an Ossid ReeForm E40 thermoformer.
Robotics Special Report: Food-Safe Solutions Emerge
New opportunities for the direct and indirect handling of foods emerge as manufacturers begin developing robots for handling unpacked goods.
Aug 3rd, 2020
Getty Images Robot Employment (1)
Workers Wanted? Contact the Robot Employment Agency
Start-up MusashiAI introduces intelligent autonomous robots for quality inspection and forklift driving—allowing the redistribution of human labor to more value-added jobs.
Aug 6th, 2020
The T5 pick-and-place delta robot from Gerhard Schubert GmbH features a fifth axis that allows for high performance in small spaces.
Special Report: Robots Drive the Manufacturing Revolution
New innovations in robotics for the packaging industry enable greater flexibility, efficiency, productivity, and competitiveness for those CPGs looking to automate a range of applications.
Aug 12th, 2020
Pearson’s dual-cell solution is able to handle four palletizing lines dedicated to the customer’s new case style, along with two additional lines, when needed
Robotics Special Report: Cobot-Placed Top Sheets Protect Frozen Foods
The installation of 12 robotic palletizers for frozen food products necessitates the addition of two cobot cap-sheet placers to keep the cases free from dust.
Aug 10th, 2020
The new, light-blue easy-grip container is made of recyclable polypropylene with a wraparound in-mold label and a space-efficient tapered cube design.
Swiss Miss is First in Cocoa with Recyclable Tub
The new, recyclable package uses a tapered, space-efficient cube design that reduces the package’s carbon footprint by 98 metric tons each year versus the previous round canister.
Sep 16th, 2020
Getty Images 1062903070
Robotics Solutions Future Looks Bright
The demand for cobots will continue to grow, and robotics will expand outside of end-of-line applications, according to a new report by PMMI Business Intelligence.
Sep 16th, 2020
New web-based PMMI Media Group event will bring the packaging and processing industry together, virtually.
Register Now for First of Its Kind PACK EXPO Connects
The new web-based PMMI Media Group event will bring the packaging and processing industry together, virtually Nov. 9-13.
Sep 15th, 2020
Tyson Range Group First Page 6492x4500px[8]
Bold, Appetizing Packaging for New Tyson Product in Europe
The new range of 28 products for foodservice uses strong black branding for the Speciality tier and ‘confident’ red for the Core, along with mouth-watering photography and a clear window to the product.
Sep 15th, 2020
Pharma Packaging Trends Webinar (1)
Pharma Packaging Innovations
New webinar covers several unique packaging innovations to overcome challenges such as child resistance/senior friendly, on-the-go convenience, anti-counterfeiting and improved packaging functionality.
Sep 15th, 2020
Photo 1 – Caption: With an audience of over 570 attendees from all over Latin America, Carlos Velasco shared several ideas regarding the vision he has developed through his more than ten years of research in the experiences and multisensory packaging fields.
Packaging for the senses
A journey through the senses and new opportunities facing consumers brought by packaging innovation, creating better experiences. This was the theme of our latest webinar of the second EXPO PACK Mexico and Mundo PMMI series, conducted by Carlos Velasco.
Sep 14th, 2020
Bel Brands wanted to refresh the brand identity and develop new packaging that would reflect the history of the brand while also bringing enhanced personality to the iconic red cow and modernity to the package design.
Updated Laughing Cow Conveys the Joy of Snacking
Iconic red laughing cow takes center stage in new packaging graphics for the cheese wedge product, positioning the brand as a fun and spontaneous snack.
Sep 14th, 2020
Getty Images 180405693
IIoT Blind Spots: Where are They and Do You Have Them?
A crucial component of automation advancement, yet one that is lacking at most manufacturers, is the deployment of IIoT connectivity across an entire enterprise, including key areas such as receiving, warehousing, and shipping.
Sep 11th, 2020
More in Home
Dropps Sidebar
Dropps Partners with Oceana to Protect World’s Oceans
Pioneering detergent pod company with eco-responsible formulas joins with international organization to educate consumers on the environmental impacts of their packaging choices.
Sep 11th, 2020
Jif Skippy
Jif, Skippy Add Flexible, Squeezable Peanut Butter Pack Formats
So-called 'peanut-butter knuckles,' experienced by parents scraping the last peanut butter from the bottom of the jar for their kids' lunches, may soon be a thing of the past.
Sep 11th, 2020
The shipper for Dropps’ 64-ct order is a unique construction of two tuck-top E-flute corrugated boxes, each holding 32 pods, that are connected at the bottom with a perforated panel.
Laundry Pod Pioneer Advances Sustainability with Move to E-Commerce
The first company to launch liquid laundry detergent pods in 2005, Dropps moves from retail to D2C to strengthen its responsiveness to consumers and advance its sustainable packaging efforts.
Sep 10th, 2020
Automation Timeline 5 1
Moving Automation Up the Line
According to a new report by PMMI Business Intelligence, OEMs and suppliers should assist manufacturers to identify new automation projects that lie outside the traditional end-of-line packaging and palletizing.
Sep 9th, 2020
Getty Images 866325256
Room to Grow for Can Market
Even with the current addition of new plants and expanding production lines, there is plenty of room for growth in the market.
Sep 8th, 2020
The distinctive Harpoon diamond takes the central location on pack, dynamically framing the brewery illustrations and also serving as a robust wayfinding device at shelf.
New England’s Original IPA Gets a ‘Wicked’ New Look
One of the first craft brewers in New England, Harpoon Brewery aims to spear new business while distinguishing itself in the crowded craft category with a new package design that leverages iconic assets.
Sep 7th, 2020
Screen Shot 2020 08 07 At 10 44 39 Am
Variable Barcodes to Boost COVID-19 Test Kit Experience
Scannable point of care tests were designed to increase test accuracy, collect data, and take the guesswork out of reading results.
Sep 3rd, 2020
The limited-edition Vote 2020 labels feature six different designs created by artists and consumers in a total print run of 500,000.
Jones Soda Turns Bottles into Voter Registration Tools
Limited-edition Vote 2020 labels on bottles of Jones Soda feature voting-themed graphics and copy along with a QR code that allows consumers to register to vote from their smartphones.
Sep 3rd, 2020
UpTap fits on all standard 48/41 mm bottle necks and uses 48% less plastic than its predecessor, which in turn reduces transportation costs by up to 20% due to its smaller size.
Large-Format PET Bottled Water Closure Helps Sustain Sales During Pandemic
Transforming large, rigid containers into convenient, at-home dispensers, this closure is differentiating feature for islanders seeking to stock up on water during pandemics and hurricanes.
Sep 3rd, 2020
Contemporary new graphics that focus on the unique taste of milk-based nutrition brand Nurishment along with a new bottle format are designed to appeal to larger consumer base.
U.K. Corner-Shop Favorite Rejuvenated
Contemporary new graphics that focus on the unique taste of milk-based nutrition brand Nurishment along with a new bottle format are designed to appeal to larger consumer base.
Sep 2nd, 2020
Selfridges Refill
Refillable and Reusable Packaging Study
A new report from UK packaging consultancy, ThePackHub, provides analysis and insight from a global perspective. The review includes a summary of more than 140 of the latest refillable and reusable packaging innovations from around the world.
Sep 2nd, 2020
Wholly Guacamole AFTER the redesign
Convenience and Flavor are the Focus of new Guacamole Package
A switch from a tray to a festive bowl that can go from fridge to table along with new graphics that highlight the real ingredients of Wholly Guacamole’s Hass avocado dips result in sales that surpass expectations.
Sep 1st, 2020