The pharmaceutical and cosmetics industry has made great progress in recent years in finding more sustainable solutions for the packaging of its products. A change that also involves those small components that seemingly have little impact but multiplied over large numbers can make a big difference. The Perfektüp tube factory has developed an interesting solution for aluminium tubes containing eye care gels and ointments: a tamper-evident seal made of PET plastic. This combination offers numerous benefits for both companies and the environment. In this article, we will explore the benefits of this choice, compared to the use of the more common PVC.
Table of Contents
- what is the anti-tampering seal?
- an environmentally sustainable choice
- a practical choice
- a strategic choice
- a safer and more hygienic choice (even legally)
PET instead of PVC: an environmentally sustainable choice
A single tamper-evident seal is barely a square centimeter in size. But our factories can produce more than 40 million of them per year… and this expands our centimeter to cover about 4 km! 4 km of plastic that year after year adds up and can even become many more. That is why it is essential to use a type of plastic that pollutes as little as possible. Equipping an aluminium tube with an anti-tampering seal made of PET plastic means making an environmentally sustainable choice: of all plastics, PET is the one with the least environmental impact, as it lends itself more than any other to being recycled and reused, even for the same purposes (so much so that one slogan states that ‘PET is made to be remade’). Although the rate and efficiency of recycling are not comparable to those of aluminium, using PET actively contributes to the reduction of plastic pollution.
Aluminium, we have already explained and illustrated in several articles, is the ecological material par excellence due to the fact that it can be 100% recycled without losing its initial qualities. Therefore, having an aluminium tube with a tamper-evident seal made of recycled PET is a perfect packaging solution for the environment.
PVC (polyvinyl chloride) is also often used for tamper-evident seals, but it is a material that raises environmental concerns for several reasons. Firstly, its production requires the use of a large amount of energy, derived mainly from non-renewable sources. This contributes to the emission of greenhouse gases and exacerbates climate change. Furthermore, PVC contains chlorine, a chemical element that can be released into the environment during the production, use and disposal of the material. Chlorine can react with other substances in the environment and form compounds that are harmful to the environment and human health (it is no coincidence that PVC is among the chemicals that the EU has set out to eliminate from common use, as detailed in the ‘Restriction Roadmap’ action plan).
Compared to PVC, recycled PET plastic has a much lower environmental impact. As already mentioned, recycled PET plastic reduces the amount of plastic waste and helps to close the material’s life cycle. In addition, the PET plastic recycling process requires less energy (hence less greenhouse gas emissions) than PVC production. Also for this reason, recycling PET costs much less than PVC.
PET seal: a practical choice
Aluminium tubes with a PET anti-tampering seal offer numerous practical advantages. The combination of aluminium and PET guarantees high protection of the product while maintaining its integrity and quality. Aluminium is a material that effectively protects against light, moisture and oxygen, thus preserving the stability of the packaged product.
The PET seal as a strategic marketing element
In addition to the practical aspects, choosing an aluminium tube with a tamper-evident recycled PET seal offers additional aesthetic value and becomes a real strategic choice. Both aluminium and PET plastic easily lend themselves to customisation and printing thanks to the innovative technologies Perfektüp Tubes are equipped with. In a highly competitive sector such as pharmaceuticals and cosmetics, product appearance and the customer’s visual experience play a crucial role in the purchasing phase.
Choosing to brand the packaging of your products could secure you a competitive advantage and customer loyalty (who will recognise your items on the shelf at a glance).
Ophthalmic tube seal: anti-counterfeiting protection
The tamper-evident seal is also a security tool against attempts to counterfeit and adulterate the product. This feature can be particularly relevant for pharmaceutical or cosmetic products that require accurate traceability and certainty that they have not been tampered with before use. The Perfektüp tube seal is ‘stitched’ around the tube using precision machinery with integrated tube printing technology: a high deterrent to counterfeiting and forgery. Made in such a way that once applied it cannot be removed without being damaged or destroyed, it makes any attempt at removal or tampering obvious and visible.
Ophthalmic nozzle: hygienic and safe
The ophthalmic nozzle, when made from the right materials and according to appropriate quality standards, offers numerous advantages in terms of hygiene and safety. Our ophthalmic gland is designed to provide an airtight seal when the aluminium tube is opened: the product inside remains protected from external contamination such as bacteria, dust and moisture. This hermetic seal further reduces the risk of product contamination, ensuring that the consumer receives an intact and safe product.
Opting for an aluminium tube with an anti-tampering seal made of recycled PET plastic offers numerous advantages for both companies and the environment. The use of recycled PET reduces plastic pollution, contributes to the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions and offers a longer life cycle to the material itself. In addition, the combination of aluminium and PET provides effective product protection and offers design and customization possibilities. Compared to the use of PVC, the choice of recycled PET plastic is environmentally friendly, reducing the overall environmental impact.
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