08.15.13
Alpha Packaging Bethlehem, PA, has just qualified six new injection blow molded high density polyethylene (HDPE) packers as part of its new HDPE Pharma Line. When completed later this fall, Alpha’s Pharma Line will consist of more than a dozen injection blow molded and extrusion blow molded bottles that replicate the HDPE round bottles most prevalent in the pharmaceutical industry. The new line is also ideal for Alpha’s core customer base of nutritional supplement manufacturers and fillers — many of which are located on the East Coast near Alpha’s manufacturing site.
Rather than replicating its own existing HDPE lines or simply moving assets from other plants, Alpha is investing in brand-new IBM and EBM machines and new molds for more than a dozen sizes of bottles, ranging from 50cc to 950cc. Sizes up to 300cc will be manufactured on brand new equipment using the Injection Blow Molding process. Larger sizes will be Extrusion Blow Molded on new equipment with brand new blow molds. Production lines will also feature state-of-the art vision systems and leak detectors. Alpha is investing more than $3.5 million in new machines, molds and downstream equipment for Phase I of the new HDPE cell, and is prepared to double or triple that investment in 2014.
Brian McCarthy, vice president of sales and new business development, says the new capacity will help Alpha grow with existing customers, and also open up new opportunities with pharmaceutical manufacturers. “Alpha’s mission in developing this new line of HDPE Pharma Line Packers is to offer nutritional supplement brands, contract fillers and generic and branded pharmaceutical companies a complete line of HDPE bottles that matches their current specifications. This will facilitate a more seamless transition to Alpha’s Pharma line.” Mr. McCarthy said. “We will have at least 14 sizes of Pharma Line bottles by the end of 2013 at our East Coast facility, as well as other popular HDPE rounds, oblongs and squares.”
Mr. McCarthy added that many Alpha customers have already committed to converting their business from other Alpha plants to the new Bethlehem HDPE cell, and he expects more customers to convert as more packer sizes are qualified. Alpha has stock of the Pharma Line bottles in 50cc, 75cc, 100cc, 120cc, 150cc, 225cc and 275cc sizes, all of which are available now to purchase. It will also introduce 180cc and 300cc sizes in August. In September, a 12-cavity EBM machine with 125mm centers will be qualified, and at least five additional bottles, 400cc and larger, will be available before the end of the year.
Rather than replicating its own existing HDPE lines or simply moving assets from other plants, Alpha is investing in brand-new IBM and EBM machines and new molds for more than a dozen sizes of bottles, ranging from 50cc to 950cc. Sizes up to 300cc will be manufactured on brand new equipment using the Injection Blow Molding process. Larger sizes will be Extrusion Blow Molded on new equipment with brand new blow molds. Production lines will also feature state-of-the art vision systems and leak detectors. Alpha is investing more than $3.5 million in new machines, molds and downstream equipment for Phase I of the new HDPE cell, and is prepared to double or triple that investment in 2014.
Brian McCarthy, vice president of sales and new business development, says the new capacity will help Alpha grow with existing customers, and also open up new opportunities with pharmaceutical manufacturers. “Alpha’s mission in developing this new line of HDPE Pharma Line Packers is to offer nutritional supplement brands, contract fillers and generic and branded pharmaceutical companies a complete line of HDPE bottles that matches their current specifications. This will facilitate a more seamless transition to Alpha’s Pharma line.” Mr. McCarthy said. “We will have at least 14 sizes of Pharma Line bottles by the end of 2013 at our East Coast facility, as well as other popular HDPE rounds, oblongs and squares.”
Mr. McCarthy added that many Alpha customers have already committed to converting their business from other Alpha plants to the new Bethlehem HDPE cell, and he expects more customers to convert as more packer sizes are qualified. Alpha has stock of the Pharma Line bottles in 50cc, 75cc, 100cc, 120cc, 150cc, 225cc and 275cc sizes, all of which are available now to purchase. It will also introduce 180cc and 300cc sizes in August. In September, a 12-cavity EBM machine with 125mm centers will be qualified, and at least five additional bottles, 400cc and larger, will be available before the end of the year.
