A new super barrier-coated (SBC) thermoformable film for pharmaceutical blister packs recently launched by Tekni-Films (tekni-plex.com/tekni-films), a Tekni-Plex business. The SBC 240 is a performance and improved-cost alternative for 4- and 6-mil PCTFE and cold formed foil in thermoformable blister applications. The triplex structure is ideal for applications such as pharmaceuticals, nutraceuticals, probiotics and other related products. 

In addition to its clear properties, SBC 240 doesn’t require stiffening ribs, which can be used to improve the ability of PCTFE to lie flat, nor the oversized blister wells created by cold forming. This means that pharmaceutical companies can use a smaller blister card to contain the same number of tablets or capsules, or increase the count on a same-sized card.

SBC 240 offers ultra-high moisture and oxygen barrier properties to protect products susceptible to degradation. It also has a wider processing window than PCTFE—as much as 20 degrees Fahrenheit—which helps meet specific production speed preferences.

SBC 240 is created by applying a “next generation” high-barrier variant of polyvinylidene chloride (PVdC) coating to a film structure made from layers of polyethylene. Multiple layers can be applied to create different coating thickness weights.  As coating weight increases, so do the barrier attributes.

Tekni-Film also offers 120-, 150-, 180- and 210-gram coating thicknesses, as well as other custom solutions.