Merck launches innovative sacks for pharma raw materials

An innovative packaging system that offers improved safety for pharmaceutical production has been developed by the Life Science Products Division of Merck KgaA, of Germany. The sack-within-a-sack is made from PE and is very stable, providing optimal safety during transport and storage. A simple perforation enables the two sacks to be separated, leaving a clean, uncontaminated surface once the outer sack is removed.

With conventional sacks, contamination adhering to the sacks could be unintentionally carried into clean production areas. The stable internal and external sacks effectively prevent the transfer of such contamination. The system was specially developed for use in cleanrooms and safety is significantly increased when handling pharmaceutical substances.

Furthermore, the internal sack is inscribed with all relevant product data, which avoids mix-ups and tedious and time-consuming refilling processes, and saves costs.

'In increasingly competitive markets service is going to be an important decision criterion. In this aspect we are trying to gain an advantage over our competitors,' said Horst Becker, product manager of the Life Science Products Division. 'The development of the double PE-sack and the refitting of our filling plant alone have cost some €1.6m.'