As the UK's leading supplier of packaging materials to the pharmaceutical and healthcare industries, Alcan Packaging Cramlington has a close understanding of the demanding requirements for this primary component.

Sachets are widely used for the single application of dosage of many powders, granules, creams and liquids. Paper / aluminium foil / film laminates are the most widely used materials for this application in the pharmaceutical market, allowing a good barrier to light, moisture, flavours and odours.

As well as providing such a functional benefit, the outer paper surface provides and excellent surface for printing, allowing you a superb marketing opportunity to establish your brand and identity in the patient's mind, improving the chances of your product graining repeat purchase / prescription.

All sachet packs offer the advantage of convenience and improved patient compliance, as well as providing a finished, complete pack direct from the manufacturer to the end user.

Structure

The structures used for producing sachets can vary considerably in exact composition, featuring different paper substances, finishes and grades. Similarly, different thicknesses of aluminium foil can be used depending on the barrier properties required for the product being packaged.

Sachets are produced on form-fill-seal machines that operate with either a vertical or horizontal action from one or two reels of packaging material.

The sealing layer is commonly low density polyethylene, although Surlyn* ionomer resin can be used to deal with any concerns with sealing through liquid or powder contamination. In addition, Surlyn offers a superior flex-crack pinhole resistance.

Alcan Packaging Cramlington maintains stocks of common sachet laminate constructions such as:-

• 40gsm coated paper / 10gsm pe / 8 micron soft aluminium foil / 23gsm pe.

Advice on the laminate structure can be provided if this is undecided