What's up, People of Packaging!
On this episode, we dive into a corner of the packaging world that most people never see, but it impacts millions of lives every single day: medical device and pharma packaging. I'm joined by Keith E. Smith, President of Vonco Products, and we get into the nitty-gritty of how flexible packaging is evolving in one of the most highly regulated industries out there.
We talk about everything from the challenges of sterilizing materials to the massive push to get away from PVC. And you know me, I love a good sustainability story. Keith drops some serious knowledge about Vonco's game-changing tech that's helping companies innovate without having to replace millions of dollars in equipment. It’s a huge deal!
What We Covered 📦
The Hidden World of Medical Packaging: We break down the difference between a package and a single-use "device" (like an IV bag) in the eyes of the FDA.
The Big PVC Problem: Why has PVC been the standard for so long in things like blood bags, and what are the sustainability challenges that are forcing a change?
Welding Wizardry: Keith explains the difference between RF (radio frequency) welding and heat welding and how Vonco developed a proprietary way to use traditional RF equipment for modern materials like polypropylene. This is a game-changer, folks!
Sustainability & Supply Chains: We discuss how tariffs on materials like foil and the push for EPR (Extended Producer Responsibility) are driving innovation toward more sustainable, cost-effective packaging solutions.
The Future is Refills: We touch on the rise of refill pouches and concentrates for consumer goods as a way to drastically reduce plastic waste and shipping emissions.
This was one of those conversations that reminds me why I love this industry so much. The innovation happening behind the scenes is just incredible. Huge thanks to Keith for coming on and sharing his expertise!
Connect & Learn More 🔗
Guest Spotlight: Check out the amazing work Keith Smith and his team are doing at Vonco. They are true problem-solvers in the flexible packaging space.
Website: www.vonco.com
Connect with Keith: Keith's LinkedIn Profile
Sponsor Shout-Out: This episode is brought to you by the folks who help make sense of all this complexity.
Specright: Tired of managing your specs in spreadsheets? Digitize and take control of your product and packaging data. Learn more at www.specright.com.
As always, thanks for taking some time out of your day to listen! Don't forget to subscribe so you don't miss a thing.
