• Clariant Healthcare Packaging exhibiting in Algiers Nov. 8 - 10
• Desiccant closures & other technologies help ensure drug safety
• Regional pharmaceutical manufacturers growing rapidly
Clariant, a world leader in specialty chemicals, and its Healthcare Packaging unit will participate in Maghreb Pharma Expo being held at the Parc des Exhibitions in Algiers, November 8 - 10. The company will use the event to focus attention on its extensive portfolio of controlled-atmosphere packaging solutions including Clariant’s full line of tubes and desiccant stoppers widely used in pharmaceutical and nutraceutical applications. These technologies help to protect pharmaceuticals, nutraceuticals and diagnostics from moisture and oxygen, the two major pathways to degradation.
Algeria is the second largest pharmaceutical market in Africa (after South Africa) and government incentives seek to increase local production until at least 70% of pharmaceuticals sold in Algeria are made locally. These policies have led to rapid expansion of the drug manufacturing industry and created significant demand for high-quality, sophisticated packaging solutions that help ensure product safety.
Clariant’s desiccant stoppers, which are especially popular in the region, are ideal for packaging of solid dosage drug forms including effervescent tablets, chewables, lozenges, tablets and capsules. Stoppers can be filled with silica gel or molecular sieve desiccant to provide the desired controlled package environment in Clariant’s printed plastic tubes, as well as in glass containers. Other active packaging platforms include standard dropped-in desiccant canisters and packets, which can be inserted automatically at high speed, as well as the EQ line of engineered sorbents designed to maintain a specific equilibrium relative humidity (ERH). Large desiccant bags maintain the integrity of bulk active pharmaceutical ingredients (APIs) and work-in-process drug products.
The Clariant manufacturing plant in Romorantin, France, is primarily responsible for serving the Maghreb region. However, plants in New Mexico in the U.S.A. and Dongguan, China, can provide critical back up in case production in France is disrupted for any reason. Clariant’s newest plant, scheduled to come on-line in Cuddalore, India in 2017, will further enhance supply-chain continuity in the region.
Clariant Healthcare Packaging is dedicated to enhancing and protecting healthcare products by providing a full portfolio of controlled atmosphere packaging solutions that protect products from degradation and help maintain stability and integrity throughout shelf life. With a global production network and innovative product development, its products include desiccants, oxygen scavengers, active container-closure systems and multilayer barrier packaging.
