Polyfoil was first produced in the 1960s and is still number one for high barrier protection, preservation and long shelf life for sensitive pharmaceutical and healthcare and cosmetic products. Polyfoil is made of a wafer-thin, aluminum layer coated on both sides with a thin plastic layer (PE or PP) and a final coating of another plastic layer.

Some products commonly found in Polyfoil tubes include: pharmaceutical grade treatments for sensitive, cracked or irritated skin; eye creams and gels; all-natural cosmetics and skincare formulations with little or no preservatives; anti-wrinkle cream; dental care (including dental bleaching products, denture fixative, and molding materials for dental models); hemorrhoid treatment; and veterinary applications for pet ailments such as ticks and lice.

In addition to Polyfoil, Neopac also offers ECO® laminated tubes and polyethylene plastic tubes. ECO laminated tubes contain a plastic (EVOH) or ceramic (SiOx) barrier and are well suited for the packaging of sensitive pharmaceuticals, cosmetics, and dental products. They have high barrier properties and are diffusion-proof, water-vapor impermeable and chemically resistant. Polyethylene tubes provide a low-cost solution for fillings that do not require high barrier packaging protection.

Neopac works in close collaboration with clients to proactively identify and act on trends to develop distinctive packaging solutions that will stand out from the crowd. In their state-of-the-art technical facilities, Neopac’s systematic innovation process includes product design, material development, decoration development and process development.

PRODUCT DESIGN
Filling and product requirements, as well as other factors, will be considered in

Neopac’s Polyfoil tubes come in a wide range of application systems including single dose disposable tubes, airless pump systems, drop dispensers, roll-on applicators and various tamper-proof and anti-counterfeiting solutions. Neopac offers a wide range of nozzles in different lengths and thicknesses and a variety of orifice sizes for optimal product flow. Neopac also has a technical competence center to create customized tubes to meet every need and exacting specification.

Neopac additionally has a wide range of closures including: practical flip-tops, smooth or fluted screw tops, child-resistant, special finish (tinted, metallic or silk screened), metal shell, conical or flush stand-up closures for nozzles and closures for special application systems such as roll-on, pinpoint, airless pumps and single-dose.

MATERIAL DEVELOPMENT
New materials and barrier methods are constantly being tested to provide the best possible product protection for pharmaceutical grade fillings. Neopac’s Polyfoil tubes provide a strong barrier against light, moisture, oxygen, organic and chemical substances, and resistance to corrosion. Only high quality, food grade raw materials are used in the production of Neopac’s tubes. This helps to safeguard against potential contamination of the filling through migration of waste and/or recycled materials. The polymer materials that are used are in compliance with the requirements of the EU-Pharmacopoeia and/or US-Pharmacopoeia.

Manufactured in a Class D cleanroom (in accordance with EG-GMP guidelines), the tubes are monitored for particles and microbes to certify the cleanliness of the tubes, as well as the manufacturing environment. Neopac is also ISO-certified 15378:2006 (for primary packaging.)

DECORATION DEVELOPMENT
Neopac’s cutting edge design specialists provide tubes that are like no other. Polyfoil tubes’ numerous appealing aesthetic qualities include the fact that they keep their shape right up until the

A number of sophisticated, decorative options are available including a selection of vibrant colors, high quality silk screen printing, brilliant metallic and pearl effects, detailed hot-foil stamping, special inks with fragrant or thermo effects, lacquers and varnishes, satiny surface finishes, and a number of other design possibilities.

PROCESS DEVELOPMENT
New processing options are constantly being explored to bring new products to the manufacturing stage. Before the actual tube is produced, Neopac can conduct its own series of laboratory tests to help clients make the most informed decisions regarding the tube’s materials, design, decoration and color.

• Compatibility tests
• Decoration tests
• Tinting of tubes, closures and application systems
• Permeation tests (02;H20)
• Special varnishes and effects
• Small scale production of samples
• Laboratory analysis

Neopac also has an extensive network of trusted companies from various areas of the tube industry, such as sterilization and filling, with whom they have collaborated throughout the years.

HISTORY
Neopac was founded in 1906 as AG Union, a manufacturer of deep-drawn and seamed tins. In 1954, its name was changed to Neopac AG and its manufacturing focus in Oberdiessbach became the production of plastic tubes.

In 1965, Neopac invented Polyfoil® tubes and its production process and in 1998 the merger of Hoffmann in Thun (for tins) and Neopac in Oberdiessbach (for tubes) formed Hoffman Neopac AG. In 2000, the product range became concentrated in the pharmaceutical, dental and cosmetic industries and the company became more international in its scope and activities.

In 2003, the first pharmaceutical tube line made in cleanroom conditions began and the smallest Polyfoil 10mm tube was launched.