Bormioli Pharma, a provider of pharmaceutical packaging solutions, has announced a partnership with Chiesi Group, a biopharmaceutical company, to supply innovative Carbon Capture PET bottles. These bottles will be used for packaging a medication designed to prevent and treat both seasonal and perennial allergic rhinitis, as well as vasomotor rhinitis.
This collaboration marks a significant milestone as it is the first instance of Carbon Capture PET being used in pharmaceutical applications. The new bottles not only support environmental sustainability but also ensure high safety standards for patients.
Carbon Capture PET is made through a process that captures carbon emissions, which are then converted into bio-derived monoethylene glycols (MEG)—a key component in producing PET. This process involves fermentation and results in a recyclable material that boasts mechanical and physical properties comparable to traditional PET.
Importantly, Carbon Capture PET bottles reduce carbon dioxide equivalent emissions by 21.9% compared to conventional PET, and the levels of extractables in the bottles are similar to those found in standard PET.
Andrea Lodetti, CEO of Bormioli Pharma, stated, “The agreement we’ve reached with Chiesi to supply one of their products with Carbon Capture PET bottles demonstrates both the performance and safety of these containers, as well as the growing commitment of the pharma industry toward sustainability.”
Several key players have contributed to this initiative, including LanzaTech Global, a carbon recycling company that has developed technology for capturing and converting carbon emissions into CarbonSmart MEG. Another contributor is Plastipak, based in Piedmont, Italy, which manufactures Carbon Capture PET and is known for its commitment to sustainable packaging.
Lodetti further noted that this partnership is a validation of Bormioli Pharma’s high-quality packaging standards. Currently, nearly half of the company’s sales involve products made with low-impact materials. The company’s EcoPositive line, which includes over 3,000 items in glass and plastic, exemplifies its commitment to sustainable packaging.
Launched in May 2022, the EcoPositive initiative encompasses three sustainable packaging strategies:
- Regenerate: Utilizing glass and plastic packaging recycled from first-choice waste.
- Renew: Offering bioplastic packaging derived from renewable resources.
- Reloop: Creating glass and advanced polymer products from endlessly reusable materials.
Bormioli Pharma has reported a significant increase in the volume of low-impact plastic containers, with a growth of 304% in this product range. The company is also on track to meet its “50-in-5” corporate strategy, which aims to achieve 50% sustainable materials in its products by 2025. As of 2023, the proportion of sustainable materials in Bormioli’s offerings was 45%, with an anticipated rise to nearly 47% in the first half of 2024.
