Clariant is set to unveil its new anti-counterfeiting solution, Plastiward, at the ongoing Pharmapack Europe 2017 event.
Developed in collaboration with Sicpa, Plastiward is a plastic-based brand-protection system that can be used in packaging for pharmaceutical products, including medical devices.
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Plastiward features a proprietary covert taggant, which is produced by Sicpa and delivered to a Clariant plant.
The taggant is then incorporated into various polymers used in medical devices and pharmaceutical packaging, either in a concentrated masterbatch form, or as a finished polymer compound.
Clariant global segment healthcare polymer solutions head Steve Duckworth said: “Counterfeit medical devices pose a significant liability to their manufacturers and healthcare providers, and a risk of injury, permanent disability or even death to patients.
“The mission of safe access to treatments remains a challenge to medical devices and pharmaceutical companies despite investments in fighting fakes.
“As it is well accepted that layers of security features are necessary, the unique features of PLASTIWARD can help reinforce this approach.”
Duckworth also noted that a World Health Organisation report shows that up to 8% of the medical devices in circulation are counterfeit.
Interpol has also estimated that $75bn worth of counterfeit pharmaceuticals enter the market every year.
