For 20 years now, DS Smith Plastics, Rapak has been a proud supplier of Bag-in-Box flexible packaging for liquids to the world ́s biggest pharmaceutical and healthcare companies. The Intasept® system for Bag-in-Box invented by Rapak is known on the market as the most reliable liquid dispensing solution that can assure sterility for the most sensitive non-invasive products.
The hygienic single use Bag-in-Box packaging format was first used in the pharmaceutical industry for cell culture transportation: bags were filled with sterile culture and inoculated to grow bacterium. This has become possible thanks to Intasept technology for the aseptic filling of the Bag-in-Box format by Rapak. The system comprises of two parts:
The Double membrane glandguarantees heat-sealed closure before and after filling. It utilizes a patented energy riser technology for more effective and quicker reseal.
The Intasept fillerensures the sterile transfer for both low and high acid products without use of chemical agents.
In the last years Bag-in-Box packaging has expanded into other applications to supply hospitals, medical centers and ambulant health services. It is used for safe delivery of clinical feeding liquids, cell culture, bulk eyewash and mouthwash, hand soap and sanitizers, blood cells for analysis and many other products. Used for inter-hospital transit as well as for direct appliance at laboratories and medical facilities, it allows easy dosage and connectivity with medical dispensing devices. Hospital surface cleaning products and antimicrobial disinfectants are other popular liquids that are supplied to medical institutions in Bag-in-Box.
Key elements of Bag-in-Box packaging and its benefits for Pharmaceutical liquids:
Bag-in-Box packaging is composed of an outer cardboard box (secondary packaging), a flexible plastic bag (primary packaging) that contains the product, and a dispensing tap or connector.
The collapsible single use bag (usually 1-25L size) can be made of MetPET, EVOH with PE or additive-free PE film. It ensures product protection and prevents O2 ingress during delivery. The liquid has no contact with the air even after opening as the bag collapses, which allows a longer opened shelf life and prevents entry of external contaminants. Several moisture and oxygen barrier options are available to suit all pharmaceutical requirements, and no pre- cleaning is needed as the bags are supplied flat. Bag-in-Box bags are designed for 99% product evacuation - that is, only 1% or less of the product is wasted.
Dispensers and connectors are used to ensure secure hygienic product transfer (for non- invasive applications). Rapak supplies a variety of adaptors and connectivity options to suit existing medical equipment. A large choice of dispensers is available to ensure hermetical re-closure during usage, easy dosage and portion control.
The 100% recyclable box is made of corrugated cardboard; it is easy to dispose for the end user as the box is collapsible. Its optimized square shape makes Bag-in-Box packaging efficient for storage and transport.
Contact DS Smith Plastics, Rapak to learn more about their standard and bespoke Bag-in- Box solutions for the pharma and healthcare sector.
