Argonews ISSUE 11
DECEMBER 2015
the magazine content 3 Renovation and Modernization of the Bottle Production Unit (EBM & ISBM)
4/5 PVC replacement / Flow Pack / new pet Jars M38
6/7 CPhI Worldwide 2015 – SqueezeIt
8/9 Laser Marking / PharmatHen / FrezyDERM
10 / 11 Global presence
Renovation & Modernization
of the Bottle Production Unit (EBM & ISBM) Extrusion Blow Molding (EBM) and Injection Stretch Blow Molding (ISBM) production unit
A
lways focusing on the continuous improvement of its production capabilities, ARGO recently completed an investment in the building and the infrastructure of the Extrusion Blow Molding (EBM) and Injection Stretch Blow Molding (ISBM) production unit.
rate adjustment combined with new cooling units (chillers), have been installed. Finally, all cooling towers have been replaced with closed-circuit heat exchangers (dry coolers), which offer efficient cooling and contribute to annual water savings of ca. 1000 tons. Noteworthy also is the update of the ventilation system of the area, which is combined with a new dehumidifier system.
The renovation of the production area consisted in wall painting with special colors allowing faster and easier cleaning as well as a new epoxy floor. In terms of mechanical modernization all conventional pipe networks for water cooling and compressed air have been replaced with new pre-isolated pipes of stainless steel, which guarantee higher endurance and cleanliness as well as minimization of the cooling losses. In parallel, new pumping stations with automatic pressure and flow
All above mentioned renovation and modernization works are expected to have as a result annual energy savings of ca. 720.000 kWh, thus proving ARGO’s commitment to provide high quality products and services with parallel focus on its environmental footprint.
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PVC Replacement
by alternative PET bottles PVC bottles have been part of the standard ARGO products many years, with the main application fields being solid and liquid preparations in the healthcare and personal care markets. However, in the last years, environmental concerns combined with limited material availability and related technical constraints (e.g. lack of spare parts for existing machines and new machine types) make our task to provide high quality packaging materials more and more difficult.
Therefore, we decided to gradually replace the PVC bottles with an extended PET range. Amber PET bottles transfuse pharmaceutical glass appearance and are characterized by transparent look and glossy surface. Upon request, PET bottles are also offered at various colors, combined with a 28PP cap with liner (I.S. or EPE) or with the newly developed 28PP cap without any liner.
We are confident that the transfer from PVC to PET bottles will provide our customers multiple benefits and contribute to an improved image of their products.
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Flow Pack Always aiming to provide our customers with intergrated packaging solutions, ARGO offers now all series of vaginal applicators in a flow pack. Supporting the needs of the final product, as defined by each customer, we can pack our vaginal applicators in single or multi piece packs.
New Pet Jars m38 ARGO is expanding the portfolio of standard packaging solutions for healthcare applications. A new series of PET Jars for tablets has been developed, “Jars M38�, produced by ISBM method with capacities at 100ml and 150ml. The standard colors are amber brown and white, however customized colors can be provided upon request. The jars are combined with a snap on, tear off band cap, with diameter 38mm. For additional product protection the cap has an incorporated I.S. liner.
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CPhI
Worldwide
CPhI Worldwide 2015 returns to Madrid, Spain, for its 26th edition. The show which was hold at IFEMA (Feria de Madrid) continued last year’s success of a recordbreaking show, with over 36,000 attendees and some 2,500 exhibitors from over 150 countries. The event is one of the few opportunities to meet the entire pharma industry in one location, stay up-to-date on market news and trends and build relationships and future collaborations. After three busy days at our stand in the Innopack Hall, which brings together buyers and specialists from the packaging and pharmaceutical industries, the goals set were achieved. Next year Barcelona. See you there!
This year we participated in the Speaker’s Corner InnoPack, with Σας προσκαλούµε στην έκθεση CPhI-InnoPack, στο περίπτερό µας 41Α108, αίθουσα 4.1, στις 22-24 Οκτωβρίου 2013, Messe Frankfurt, our Commercial Director, Dr. Charis στη Γερµανία. Katsichtis presenting the topic: Looking forward to meeting you at CPhI - InnoPack, stand 41A108, Hall 4.1, on 22-24 October 2013, Messe Frankfurt, Germany
ARGO S.A. 1st km Koropiou - Varis str., P.O. BOX 87, 19400 Koropi, Greece, Tel. +30 210 6625501, +30 210 6626691-5, Fax: +30 210 6625500, e-mail: sales@argo-sa.gr
To avoid the queues at the fair, you can register on line at www.cphi.com. The registration for a 3 days Expo-Pass is free of charge. Για να αποφύγετε την ταλαιπωρία κατά την είσοδο, µπορείτε να κάνετε ηλεκτρονική προεγγραφή στον ιστότοπο της έκθεσης www.cphi.com. Η είσοδος µε εγγραφή Expo-Pass και για τις τρείς ηµέρες είναι ελεύθερη.
“How squeezable are your ophthalmic vials? A consumer driven approach”. 6
ONLINE VIDEO
New method developed and apparatus manufactured to Evaluate and Measure the squeezability of ophthalmic droppers Easy handling, reproducible & quantitative test results Different effects (e.g. labeled, filled volume, orifice diameter) also studied Method initially developed to access squeezability impact during product development
On demand measurments can be carried out at any stage of product development for tailor-made solutions
PURPOSE
CHALLENGE
Investigation of a customer feedback that patients using ophthalmic preparations were facing difficulties in squeezing the liquid formulation out of the plastic dropper
To further look into the term “squeezability”
Correlation between patient age and the reported difficulties in selfadministration of topical ocular medicine
To create protocols for standardized tests
To benchmark the squeezability of ARGO’s droppers
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INNOVATION Method development & apparatus (SqueezeIT) design & construction Reproducible results on the force required to deliver a single drop by squeezing the dropper
Laser Marking T
he traditional method of writing on plastics is printing with ink. Systems currently used are pad printing, inkjet printing, offset, silk screen and hot stamping. In recent years, laser marking of plastics has established itself as a highly competitive technology. Traceability, unique identity coding as well as a trend in consumer goods for customization / personalization are important drivers for the establishment of laser technology.
There is quite a long way still to go but ARGO’s R&D team has already achieved good marking contrast and line edge details. Improvement on speed of the different processed ideas is our next target.
ARGO has already started experimenting with laser technology. A full automatic laser marking machine is installed in our R&D department for trials and initiation of novel projects. The machine is aimed to be further installed in our production area in the near future. Polymers that can be marked by laser are those that absorb laser light and convert it from light energy to thermal energy. Thus it is not a straight forward process for all plastic substrates, but it is a hot subject materials optimization technology and results are improving day by day.
ARGO’s TE010 eye dropper series consists of 5ml, 10ml & 15ml bottles. All vials are produced with LDPE and sterilized with gamma irradiation. This standard ARGO product series was recently expanded with the addition of a new 5ml vial, produced of Polypropylene (PP). All three items of the new packaging solution, vial-droppercap, are sterilized with EtO treatment.
FrezyDerm
oral care
The new FREZYDERM ORAL CARE product line aims to the prevention of microbial oral biofilm, the control of oral inflammation and the improvement of oral ecosystem (flora) in order to avoid tooth and gum diseases. FREZYDERM MOUTHWASHES combine innovative formulas, synergy of active ingredients, refreshing taste and fresh breath.
The new PET 25ml 28PP PHARMA bottle, that ARGO recently developed, is FREZYDERM’s choice for the promo packaging of the new oral care product line to doctors, pharmacists and end-users. The bottles in white color have been matched with the 28PP cap with black safety ring. The aesthetic result is in full harmonization with the label’s design.
Pharmathen is one of ARGO’s first customers to be using the new 5ml PP model, for products with Timolol / Travoprost Active Ingredient. Timolol is a non-selective β-adrenergic blocker, which when applied topically in the eye reduces both elevated and normal intraocular pressure by inhibiting the production of aqueous humour. Travoprost is a prostaglandin analogue that works by increasing the outflow of aqueous fluid from the eye.
Travoprost decreases elevated intraocular pressure in patients with ocular hypertension and open-angle glaucoma. The packaging material and the sterilization method are in compliance with the pharmaceutical solution for the eye treatment, thus Pharmathen has chosen ARGO’s dropper for this specific treatment.
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Global Presence ARGO is exporting its packaging in more than 30 countries mainly in Europe, M. East and Africa. Nevertheless, through the presence of its customers with stores and distribution points worldwide, our products travel around the globe, covering the needs of the global market.
NanoPhos SA is a Greek company that invents “clever” materials through the power of Nanotechnology. Their vision is simple and clear: “Tune the nanoworld to serve the macroworld” – in simple terms make nanoparticles serve the needs of people. NanoPhos products are addressed to the construction industry, covering the fields of waterproofing &oil proofing (SurfaPore), thermal insulation paints & surface protection (SurfaPaint ThermoDry), converting light into chemical energy (SurfaShield) and marine (NanoPhos Marine). Most of NanoPhos products are packed in plastic bottles and canisters supplied by ARGO. NanoPhos trusts ARGO’s plastic packaging materials in order to promote its products around the world with exports directed to many foreign markets such as Great Britain, Norway, Sweden, Denmark, Portugal, Spain, France, Italy, Romania, Cyprus, Egypt, Sudan, Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, UAE, Qatar, Oman, Iran, India, New Zealand, China, Japan, Mexico, Guatemala, Thailand, Malaysia and Singapore.
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Juliette Armand specializes in research, production and marketing of beauty products for face and body. The brand name Juliette Armand with the series Elements, Skin Boosters & SunFilm won strong position in the beauty salons and has already traveled to 28 countries across four continents (Europe, Australia, Asia & South Africa).
The philosophy of «personal professional concept» dominates in Juliette Armand’s portfolio. This is the commitment of the company to provide scientific tools based on the latest laboratory achievements to cosmetic professionals internationally. The packaging is the extension of the brand and it reflects the company’s philosophy. Today, after 23 years, Juliette Armand presents AMESON Skin Medical Series. The name of the series is inspired by the Greek word AMESOS (which means immediately) suggesting immediate results. In this new venture, Juliette Armand trusts partners with shared values such as ARGO for the packaging of the products.
Ivatherm, first Romanian dermo-cosmetic brand, turns 10 years old! Ivatherm was established in 2005 by Dr. Rucsandra Hurezeanu, who after considerable research and thorough clinical studies proved the beneficial effects of thermal spring water on skin. Ivatherm’s main objective over the last ten years has been to launch innovative formulas that respond to every modern woman’s needs and to find ideal solutions for every skin type’s problem. Ivatherm portfolio is developed and made in France. All products focusing on sensitive skin are packed in ARGO’s tubes. The 48 products for sensitive skin, rank on 5th position among cosmetic dermatology brands in Romania and already have an international presence in 10 countries, such as Hungary, Serbia, Egypt, Saudi Arabia, Jordan and China.
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ARGO S.A.
1st km Koropiou - Varis str., P.0.BOX 87, 19400 Koropi, Greece Tel. 0030 216 4003100 Fax: 0030 210 6625500 e-mail: sales@argo-sa.gr
Greece
Romania
ARGO ROM PLASTICS S.A 211 - 249 Drumul Dealul Bradului str., Sect. 4 Bucharest, Romania Tel. 0040 215 393262 - 7 Fax: 0040 215 393264 e-mail: argorom@argo-sa.gr
Egypt
ARGO EGYPT PLASTICS S.A.E. Plot 10, Block 13002, 1st Industrial Zone El Obour City, El Obour, Cairo, Egypt Tel. 002 02 44812761-3 Fax: 002 02 44812069 e-mail: argoegypt@argo-sa.gr
packaging solutions for successful products w w w.argo -sa .gr