Biotechnologically manufactured active ingredients demonstrate a series of special features. Some are highly viscous, concentrated and in individual cases, tend to interact with silicone oil or, for example, tungsten residue from syringe production. Gerresheimer Biological Solutions offers a special metal-free manufactured syringe produced with a patented innovative production technology for these applications.

“Our metal-free syringes are especially suitable for our customers and partners who are involved in the development of biotechnologically manufactured active ingredients,” says Stefan Verheyden, global vice president Gx Biological Solutions & Sales Syringes Medical Systems. A production technology specially developed and patented by Gerresheimer ensures that the pin used for conical shaping is no longer made of the tungsten or an alternative metal usually used, but of a special ceramic.”

One problem associated with syringe use is that traces of tungsten or other metals occasionally leave residue behind the bore when the syringe cone is shaped. Especially for medications based on biotechnologically manufactured active ingredients, the customers require pre-fillable syringes that ideally exclude the possibility of contamination with metal.

With the development of innovative patented production technology, Gerresheimer has addressed this requirement and creates a metal-free 1 ml long Luer Lock Gx RTF syringe that is ready for series production. This process can also be transferred to other Luer Lock syringe sizes or Luer cone syringes of various sizes at any time. The pin used to shape the cone with the new technology isn’t made of conventional tungsten or alternative metal, but a special ceramic. External studies confirm that Gerresheimer can manufacture residue-free syringes for the packaging of especially sophisticated medications with this new technology. The Fresenius Institute conducted a study confirming that no ceramic residue can be detected in the syringe. A biocompatibility study also verifies the non-cytotoxicity of the ceramic material.

Gerresheimer is a leading global partner to the pharma and healthcare industry. With specialty glass and plastic products, the company contributes to health and well-being. Gerresheimer operates worldwide, and its approximately 10,000 employees manufacture products in local markets, close to its customers. With plants in Europe, the Americas, and Asia, Gerresheimer generates revenues of around EUR 1.4 billion. The comprehensive product portfolio includes pharmaceutical packaging and products for the safe, simple administration of medicines: Insulin pens, inhalers, micro pumps, prefillable syringes, injection vials, ampoules, bottles, and containers for liquid and solid medicines with closure and safety systems as well as packaging for the cosmetics industry.

The Covid-19 pandemic led to the country-wide lockdown on 25 March 2020. It will be two years tomorrow as I write this. What have we learned in this time? Maybe the meaning of resilience since small companies like us have had to rely on our resources and the forbearance of our employees as we have struggled to produce our trade platforms.

The print and packaging industries have been fortunate, although the commercial printing industry is still to recover. We have learned more about the digital transformation that affects commercial printing and packaging. Ultimately digital will help print grow in a country where we are still far behind in our paper and print consumption and where digital is a leapfrog technology that will only increase the demand for print in the foreseeable future.

Web analytics show that we now have readership in North America and Europe amongst the 90 countries where our five platforms reach. Our traffic which more than doubled in 2020, has at times gone up by another 50% in 2021. And advertising which had fallen to pieces in 2020 and 2021, has started its return since January 2022.

As the economy approaches real growth with unevenness and shortages a given, we are looking forward to the PrintPack India exhibition in Greater Noida. We are again appointed to produce the Show Daily on all five days of the show from 26 to 30 May 2022.

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