Australian packaging company Amcor is working on developing its own film that does not use Barex resin but has the same inert properties as Barex and supports a more sustainable manufacturing process.
It comes after Ineos Barex had decided to shut down its production facility in Lima, Ohio in early 2015.
“Ensuring global security of supply for our customers is Amcor’s key priority. Due to the critical nature of pharmaceutical and medical applications, it is our responsibility to make sure that business continuity is maintained. Our customers can be reassured that, under these exceptional circumstances, we will support them to secure a sustainable supply chain now and into the future,” said Colin Reed, Global Pharma Marketing Director at Amcor Flexibles Europe and Americas.
According to the article on Plastics News, the Melbourne-based manufacturer is working on a deal with its Switzerland-based supplier for a continued source of Barex-brand polyacrylonitrile (PAN) resin to meet its customers’ needs for the next three years.
John Murray, Amcor Executive General Manager of corporate affairs, told Plastics News the priority is to secure sufficient Barex PAN to meet immediate needs.
He said Amcor was working with its customers, Ineos and film converters on a technical, legal and commercial framework that will ensure supply until its replacement film is commercialised.
Mr Murray refused to answer whether Amcor would consider buying the Ohio factory, nor would he say what quantity of resin was involved in the three-year supply, nor its cost.
“Commercialisation of Amcor’s own films is being accelerated to ensure the fastest qualification well in advance of the end of the three-year supply of Barex. Our films will provide the same inert properties as Barex, and have been developed to provide improved sealing properties, lower extractables and a more sustainable manufacturing process compared to Barex,” Mr Murray said.
Last week the company announced in a media release that the film had already undergone favourable initial trials as an alternative that removes the dependency on a single manufacturing site.
