Essentra : How to Know If a Packaging Manufacturer Is a Good Fit

12 Aug 2021

Deciding on a packaging manufacturer is like any other choice, it all depends on your needs. The more comprehensive and experienced the packaging provider, the better, especially in the case of international businesses with ample product ranges or regular changes in their designs. At Essentra Packaging, we are experts in the development and design of secondary packaging that adapts to the requirements of each client, and we have compiled a small checklist with several aspects that you might need from your packaging manufacturer.

Are you satisfied with productivity?

Efficiency is an essential part of every business, and having the right packaging manufacturer will streamline your entire production process andboost productivity. With solutions such as matching supplies, processes can be optimised, which in turn result in shorter manufacture times, increases in performance, or cost reductions.

At Essentra Packaging we specialise in the production of cartons, leaflets and labels, which translates to extensive expertise in increasing productivity with several solutions, such as the ones listed below:

• ComboPack: it preloads cartons with the leaflet before the product is inserted, which optimises packaging performance, also reducing transport costs, as they are both produced at the same site.

• TagPack: automatic dispensing and verification control of the labels located on the folding cartons.

• PiggyBack®: this option comprises two or three information leaflets joined together, providing more space for the text.

• Kitting service: automated incorporation, in the same packaging, of several items that are required for the treatment's correct use.

Packaging manufacturers should have ample experience with regulations

One of the most important aspects in pharmaceutical packaging is compliance with thestandards and regulations; there are numerous -and strict- rules that manufacturers must follow in order for the healthcare product, or medical treatment, to arrive safely to the end consumer. In the United Kingdom, for instance, there is comprehensive legislationregarding the labelling, secondary packaging, leaflet readability, warning visibility or text in Braille, to name but a few. Nonetheless, theseregulations change in each country, which is why manufacturers with international experience might be a better fit for companies that wish to expand to new lands.

Is your packaging protecting the product?

An essential part in the manufacture of secondary packaging forpharmaceutical products is their safety and integrity; the medical treatment or device must arrive at the end user undisturbed. Unfortunately, according to Interpol, there has been an increase in the introduction of fake and counterfeit drugsinto the market through online channels, especially after the shortage and confusion caused by COVID-19. Moreover, the OECD and EUIPO published a press release, where it was outlined how the trafficking and sale of fake or defective medicines is responsible for endangering the public's health as well as damaging industries and tax revenues. Thankfully, packaging can ease the situation.

Packaging manufacturers that specialise in the pharmaceutical sector have responded to this issue by using a wide array of solutions toensure the product arrives safely and intact; for example tamper-evident folding cartons, different coding systems to enable traceability or various changeable inks and effects that guarantee authenticity.

Design is a big part of cosmetics or pharmaceutical packaging

Design is a big part of packaging, both in beauty andpharmaceutical packaging. When it comes to the latter, design can be used to support the product from its initial design concept, all the way through to production,ensuring it runs effectivelyon our customer's lines. It can also guarantee theauthenticity of the product,or help with patient adherence. Solutions such as pre-serialisation, the inclusion of special effects like holographic labels, or leaflets that have more space for instructions and information, can be included in the design and help patients benefit from their treatment in the best and most efficient way.

In thecase of cosmetics, secondary packaging isthe first thing customers seewhen they are browsing the shelves in search for a product. This means design is the best way to catch the eye of the target audience, and communicate with them in order to establish the brand-customer relationship. Nowadays, with tools such as digital printingthe possibilities for this rapport are endless, customising packaging to create unique designs within the same product range, designs that can change for different seasons or special promotions.

Are you reaching your sustainability goals?

Sustainability is the way to the future, a well-known fact for both customers and packaging manufacturers who specialise in the cosmetics and pharmaceutical sectors. According to a report published by IBM about changes in consumer behaviour, 57% of people would be willing tochange their purchasing habitsto helpreduce negative environmental impact. Packaging plays a large role in pharmaceutical and cosmetics products, and choosing a manufacturer that uses sustainable processes and materials will improve how customers perceive the product, and therefore, how it will affect sales.

We take sustainability very seriously; our PEFC® certification and FSC® C016627 credentialsmean that the materials we use come fromresponsible management of forestry resourceslike paper, cardboard or wood. On top of that, we offer our clients eco-design solutions, a great way to limit the impact the industry has on the environment.

Do you need a secondary packaging provider? At Essentra Packaging we can offer you a great variety of solutions, among which you will find the right one for your business; contact us, and an expert from our team will be delighted to help. We want to be the right choice for you!