Amcor Flexibles was recognised in the 'Technical Innovation' category with a gold award at the recent Flexible Packaging Association (FPA) Annual Achievement Awards in Florida.
The gold award-winning concept was Amcor's patent-pending Fortis – Breather Bags for Medical Sterilisation Packaging.
The Fortis solution results from the innovative use of both the packaging materials and the package design (both part of the patent application). Amcor produces the coextruded (blown film) bag material. The company's in-house, multi-layer blown film equipment enables the cost-effective use of thin layers of several resins to produce a highly engineered film. This film has both the strength, abuse resistance and the tear resistance necessary to protect medical instruments through gas sterilisation and the distribution process.
This same abuse- and tear-resistant bag film is engineered to be peelable using Amcor’s patented Core-Peel technology. The innovation of peelability in the bag itself eliminates the need for a peelable header strip.
“The design of Fortis’ intuitive-use header opening makes aseptic removal of contents much easier – and reduces the risk of contamination to the sterile field,” said Jesse Blake, director of Product Excellence and Manufacturing Strategy – Amcor Flexibles Medical North America. “Fortis breather bags deliver outstanding strength, breathability and sustainability,” he added.
The FPA is the leading trade organisation for flexible packaging converters and suppliers in the US. The Annual Achievement Awards, held this year on 1 March in Florida, honour packaging and converting organisations that demonstrate breakthrough technologies, printing techniques, package structures, environmental advantages and new end-uses.
“We are honored to be recognised for our innovative packaging solutions that help save lives,” said Jehanzeb Noor, vice president & general manager – Amcor Flexibles Medical North America. “Our customers continuously challenge us to develop packaging solutions that take cost out while enhancing performance, and we are proud to meet that challenge and grow together,” he added.
