Frequently Asked Questions about Coated Solid Forms
Moisture and volatile substances can severely impact the quality, safety, and shelf life of pharmaceutical products, and incorporating packaging protection is a critical aspect of the manufacturing cycle. There are a number of active sorbents available to help maintain pharmaceutical integrity. Using compression technology, a new coated solid sorbent offers up to twice the protection in the same dimensional space that a traditional desiccant canister provides. Because of its smooth shape, the new form offers additional processing and line advantages for manufacturers.
What are coated solid forms?
Coated solid forms are a new sorbent technology that concentrates silica gel and other desiccant material into a smooth, coated compressed sorbent. In the same space it offers twice the absorption capacity as a loose fill desiccant.
How does a concentrated solid provide more protection over traditional desiccants?
You can engineer two grams of functional sorbent protection into the same dimension of a one-gram canister. This substantially increases the absorptive capacity of solid forms. There are also other advantages since different shapes can be formed to fill space within packaging.
What are some advantages of solid form vs. loose-fill canisters?
Occasionally the tops of canisters pop off when there is a jam, and loose granules of silica gel or carbon can contaminate machinery and drug products, shutting down a line. A coated solid form is exceptionally hard, so it extremely unlikely to break apart. The durability is a true advantage. Also, canisters can cause jams in machinery. Because coated solid forms have smooth edges and corners, they are unlikely to cause such problems.
What is the absorption rate of a coated solid vs. traditional desiccant?
There is a slightly lower moisture absorption rate for coated solids, which is a byproduct of condensed density and coating. This offers advantages for packaging operations. The slower absorption rate gives packagers more time to handle it in the bulk feeders. By comparison, if a canister and a coated solid are sitting in a bulk feeder waiting to be inserted into a bottle, the canister will pick up more moisture when waiting then a coated solid form. In some cases FDA inspectors ask about how long canisters have been in feeders, requiring that a Loss on Drying (‘LOD”) test be performed to tell what capacity they have left.
Is printing on coated solid forms possible?
Yes. One, two and four color printing is possible.
Are other shapes possible with solid forms?
Yes, solid forms can be precision-shaped into a variety of sizes and configurations. For example, a solid form can be shaped so it “snaps” into place inside a bottle cap.
What is involved in switching from a traditional canister to a canister shaped solid?
Coated solid forms can seamlessly replace traditional canisters and requires a minimal filing with FDA.
Is the need for sorbent protection in pharmaceuticals increasing?
Yes. Manufacturers are marketing new pharmaceutical formulations that previously may have been considered too shelf-unstable. Those manufacturers are relying on package designers and engineers to incorporate sorbent technologies to help make the difference in the marketability of a drug.
