Papela has joined the Blister Pack Collective as its first converter partner, bringing converting expertise to the initiative established by PulPac and PA Consulting to develop fiber-based blister packaging.
Announced by PulPac on August 26, Papela’s participation will focus on nutraceuticals, supplements and healthcare-related products. The company will work with PA Consulting and PulPac to develop and validate Dry Molded Fiber blister packaging for selected supplement applications.
The Collective already includes Haleon, Opella, Bayer Consumer Health and Sanofi Rx. Papela adds a converter’s perspective on the practical requirements for moving fiber-based formats toward commercial adoption.
Requirements for commercial adoption
Blister packs are widely used for tablets and capsules. The Collective aims to reduce reliance on conventional plastic formats while meeting product protection and manufacturing requirements.
Dry Molded Fiber, PulPac’s patented technology, shapes renewable fibers into packaging through a dry forming process. For blister applications, the partners identify detailed forming, barrier integration, consumer appeal and production scalability as key considerations.
Papela founder and CEO Sander Volden said the challenge for brands extends beyond identifying an alternative packaging format to making the transition practical.
Keith Thornley, commercial lead for Dry Molded Fiber Collectives at PA Consulting, said Papela’s involvement would strengthen the practical expertise needed to move the packaging from development toward adoption.
Validation for supplement applications
The partners will further develop and validate the technology for selected supplement uses. The announcement does not specify a commercial launch date or production volumes.
Papela is a European contract packaging organization focused on fiber-based blister solutions. Its planned services also include sachets, stick packs and bottling for nutraceuticals, supplements and healthcare-related products.
PulPac develops fiber-based packaging technology. Its patented Dry Molded Fiber process forms renewable fibers into packaging through a dry forming method. The company works with partners across the packaging value chain to develop alternatives to conventional plastic formats, including blister packs.
