The AmSky package from Amcor Flexibles Healthcare North America eliminates polyvinyl chloride (PVC) and aluminum foil from pharmaceutical blister packaging, delivering whole-package recyclability and a reduced carbon footprint.

The thermoformed portion of Amcor’s blister pack, as well as the lidding, are made from a proprietary formulation of high-density polyethylene (HDPE). Significantly, the package is recyclable in flexible- and rigid-plastic streams. Consumers can recycle it through curbside or store drop-off programs.

Amcor completed Association of Plastics Recyclers (APR) Critical Guidance Testing to verify the package’s compatibility with both recycling streams in North America. Germany’s Institute cyclos-HTP also independently verified the package’s recyclability and provided certification.

Additionally, Amcor’s mono-material package reduces nonrenewable energy demand during production by 77% vs. a PVC/foil blister pack. Amcor estimates that the HDPE package’s carbon footprint is 76% lower than conventional PVC/foil packs.

AmSky provides solid oral medications with moisture barrier equal to or better than existing blister packs, including some enhanced-barrier packages made with polyvinylidene chloride (PVDC)-coated PVC and polychlorotrifluoroethylene (PCTFE) laminates.

It is also compatible with existing equipment with few tooling changes required (if any), providing a turnkey replacement for conventional blister packs. The AmSky package is available in child-resistant and non-child-resistant formats and is senior-friendly.

Amcor’s package won two sustainability awards in 2022, an AmeriStar award for sustainable packaging and a Packaging Europe Sustainability Award for recyclable packaging.