Clariant to Show How to Control of Package Humidity, Moisture and Oxygen at CPhI Barcelona

• Healthcare Packaging unit exhibiting in Booth 2K60
• Two new EQ products for relative-humidity control
• Additional manufacturing facility assures back-up capacity

Muttenz, October 4, 2016 – Clariant, a world leader in specialty chemicals, and its Healthcare Packaging unit, are announcing the expansion of the EQ line of humidity-control products in Booth 2K60 at the CPhI Worldwide Innopack exhibition, which is being held Oct. 4-6 in Barcelona.

In addition to the existing EQ-Pak® and EQ-Can® products, Clariant Healthcare Packaging is adding the EQ-Stopper™ for moisture-sensitive products packaged in tubes, as well as the EQ-Bag™, which is introduced in two sizes (37g and 255g) to protect bulk packages containing empty capsules, powders, or other moisture-sensitive product ingredients.

All products in the EQ line are designed to actively control the relative humidity (RH) of a pharmaceutical or nutraceutical package space to within a specific range, for example 20%. Such control is essential to maintain the physical integrity and plasticity of gelatin capsules or other moisture sensitive ingredients. Gelatin capsules, for example, can become brittle when humidity is too low, or can soften or fuse together if relative humidity is too high. The EQ-Stopper is being launched with a 20% RH level, while EQ-Bags are currently available with a 10% RH level. Like all EQ products, both the EQ-Stopper and the EQ-Bag can be modified to provide different RH levels based on customer or product requirements.

In addition to the EQ products, Clariant Healthcare Packaging offers a full portfolio of pharmaceutical desiccants, equilibrium sorbents, adsorbent polymers, oxygen scavengers and pharmaceutical closures and containers, which help to protect healthcare products from humidity and oxygen.

The group manufactures and delivers its products through a rapidly expanding global manufacturing network, which includes plants in the U.S.A. and France, as well as its newest plant in Dongguan, China, which recently began making and delivering a range of standard desiccant packets. A fourth manufacturing facility in Cuddalore, India, is expected to come on line in 2017. This plant will further expand Clariant's global manufacturing footprint, ensuring quick delivery and competitive pricing, as well back-up capacity to meet the BCP (Business Continuity Planning) requirements of global customers.

Clariant Healthcare Packaging is dedicated to enhancing and protecting healthcare products by providing a full portfolio of controlled atmosphere packaging solutions that protect products from degradation and help maintain stability and integrity throughout shelf life. With a global production network and innovative product development, its products include desiccants, oxygen scavengers, active container-closure systems and multilayer barrier packaging.