Rigid plastic packaging producer Amcor Rigid Plastics and Italian manufacturer of compression molding equipment, Sacmi have announced the commercialization of the Compression Blow Forming (CBF) machine for the production of rigid HDPE pharmaceutical bottles.
The process combines compression molding and blow molding and delivers advantages over conventional processes, while offering enhanced quality, sustainability benefits, and the potential for lightweighting.
The process was originally developed by Sacmi and Amcor teamed up with the company in a 14-month development project to adapt the technology for pharmaceutical packaging.
Amcor, which has an arrangement with Sacmi to implement the technology in select market segments and global regions, already commissioned a 12-cavity platform CBF-12, and is producing HDPE packer bottles at its Youngsville, North Carolina facility.
Amcor technical manager for the pharmaceutical market Bob Israni commenting on the latest development said, "Compression blow forming is the most advanced processing system for the production of pharmaceutical containers, delivering high-quality, reliable, and defect-free parts."
The CBF process, which represents an improvement over conventional technologies, expands and modernizes Amcor's pharmaceutical bottle manufacturing platform and its commercialization is expected to give Sacmi entry into a new market segment.
Both the companies expect good potential for the technology in other markets, including single-serve dairy packaging made of HDPE for applications such as liquid yogurt and probiotics, along with pharmaceutical packaging.
