The move to consolidate the brands follows Alpla’s recent acquisitions in south-eastern Europe and Africa, which the company says “have done more than just strengthen its presence in these regions.”
“Thanks to the new locations, this family-run company based in Austria now has access to decades of experience in the packaging market for pharmaceutical products,” the company said in an Oct. 3 statement, adding that this expertise would now all be combined into ALPLApharma.
The new branding is more than just a marketing strategy, according to Walter Knes, global sales director closure systems, injected parts and pharma at Alpla.
“We are consolidating all our previous work for pharmaceutical customers under this brand. In doing so, we are combining the specific expertise available to us through our new locations with all of our services, knowledge and globally applicable standards,” said Knes.
For customers, Knes added, the move means a larger selection of products and more service at an international level. ALPLApharma, the company emphasized, is a brand of the Alpla Group and not a legal entity of its own.
While Alpla is known principally for its customized packaging solutions, in the pharmaceutical sector, standardized products play a large role, explained Knes.
As a result, the current product portfolio of ALPLApharma includes standard bottles for liquids and solids and containers for tablets and pills; closures and dispensing systems — especially eyedroppers and nasal sprays — as well as devices for administering medication with and without measuring function.
However, Alpla said it was hoping to improve its offerings in this market segment with custom-made designs, too.
At CPhI, ALPLApharma will be presenting CRC justONE, a very light, childproof closure, manufactured in just one injection molding process with straightforward assembly
Normally, there are three parts to a childproof closure with a tamper-evident band that can only be opened by simultaneously pushing and turning the closure.
These parts are produced in three separate production steps and then assembled later.
This production process has now been has streamlined in a significantly more efficient workflow, said ALPLApharma
The new closure is certified under 16 CFR § 1700.20 and ISO 8317 for childproof packaging for bottles ranging from 30 milliliters to 1.5 liters.
The improved manufacturing process reduces material consumption by 25 percent, a saving that achieves an excellent price-performance ratio and protects resources.