Süd-Chemie launches equilibrium sorbents to maintain specific RH levels inside pharma packaging

Romorantin, France – Süd-Chemie Performance Packaging has launched EQ-Pak® and EQ-Can® sorbents designed to maintain a certain equilibrium relative humidity (ERH) inside pharmaceutical packaging.

Sensitive pharmaceuticals often require specific biospheric package conditions to maintain efficacy and shelf-life. Excessive humidity can cause an active pharmaceutical ingredient to absorb moisture, subsequently resulting in deliquescence, decomposition or overall instability of the drug. And for some products, a package environment that is too dry can accelerate efflorescence or cause cracking of gelatin coatings. Sensitive inhalation remedies in Dry Powder Inhalers (DPIs) and other novel drug delivery systems also often need to maintain a specific range of relative humidity.

During shelf life, the EQ line of sorbents addresses the need to maintain a particular relative humidity range inside product packaging to avoid extreme changes inside the package. Working simultaneously as a humectant and desiccant, the product’s package environment will not drop below or rise above specified humidity levels (within stated tolerances, MVTR and temperature). Standard humidity levels can be set from 10 percent to 30 percent Relative Humidity, and customized ERH levels are available.

“It is no longer one-size-fits-all,” says Pierre Michelet, european sales director for Süd- Chemie. “We see an increasing need from customers to control package environments, not only from excessive humidity, but also from excessive dryness.”

EQ-Pak packets and EQ-Can canisters are both designed for automatic insertion into pharmaceutical containers, and comply with all FDA and EU regulations for contact with food and drugs. Typical applications include Dry Powder Inhalers (DPIs), gelatin capsules, rapid or extended release tablets and dental materials.

Süd-Chemie Performance Packaging develops and manufactures plastic packaging systems to protect pharmaceutical, nutraceutical and diagnostic products from moisture and oxygen. Operating on a global scale, Süd-Chemie provides value-added primary packaging solutions that offer unique package functionality focused on adsorption and barrier qualities. The company offers material and package design and full production capabilities for customized package solutions, as well as a full range of standard injection molded and desiccant packaging products.