Introduction

Pharmaceutical packaging must protect medicines from environmental exposure while maintaining product quality throughout storage and distribution. Aluminium foil is widely used in pharmaceutical packaging because it provides a strong barrier against moisture, light, oxygen and other external factors.

Why Is Aluminium Foil Used in Pharmaceutical Packaging?

Aluminium provides an effective barrier layer when properly specified and incorporated into a suitable packaging structure. It can help protect sensitive pharmaceutical products against moisture and water vapour, light exposure, atmospheric gases, external contamination and aroma or volatile transmission.

Key Applications of Pharmaceutical Aluminium Foil

1. Blister Lidding Foil

Aluminium lidding foil is commonly used as the sealing component of pharmaceutical blister packs. It provides barrier protection while allowing reliable sealing with the forming film.

2. Strip Packaging

Aluminium foil can be incorporated into strip packaging structures where the product is enclosed between layers of flexible packaging material.

3. Alu-Alu Packaging

Cold-form aluminium structures are used for applications requiring a high level of barrier protection. The structure provides a different barrier profile from conventional thermoformed blister packaging.

4. Sachets and Pouches

Foil-based laminates can be incorporated into sachets and pouches for pharmaceutical and healthcare products requiring enhanced barrier protection.

Important Properties of Pharmaceutical Foil

Barrier Performance

The foil structure should provide the required protection against moisture, light and atmospheric exposure based on the product's stability requirements.

Thickness

Foil thickness affects barrier performance, mechanical strength, forming behaviour and material consumption. The appropriate thickness should be determined according to the packaging design and application.

Sealability

For lidding applications, the foil must work effectively with the specified sealing layer and packaging material. Poor sealing conditions can compromise package integrity even when the foil itself provides excellent barrier protection.

Printability

Pharmaceutical foils often carry product identification, batch information, branding and regulatory information. The surface treatment and printing system should therefore be compatible with the required artwork and production process.

How to Select the Right Pharmaceutical Aluminium Foil

• Product sensitivity and stability requirements
• Required shelf life
• Moisture and oxygen protection
• Light sensitivity
• Packaging format
• Sealing requirements
• Printing and coding requirements
• Packaging-machine compatibility
• Storage and transportation conditions
• Applicable market requirements