West Collaborates with Corning for Sustainable Drug Delivery
West and Corning Launch Viridian™ Vials that provide both performance and sustainability to the healthcare industry
Introduction
Corning® Viridian™ Vials, externally coated Type 1 borosilicate vials, are a drop-in solution made with 20% less glass material, enabling up to a 30% reduction in Cradle to Gate, Scope 3 emissions. Viridian Vials reduce glass waste and manufacturing emissions to deliver a more sustainable primary packaging choice. Less glass means less raw material extracted from the environment and less material waste at end-of-life usage. Viridian Vials have a positive impact on every stage of vial usage, from manufacturing to patient use. Corning’s cutting-edge coating technology allows our customers to deliver medications safely and efficiently – for both patients and the planet.
Performance Focus
In collaboration with a leading manufacturer of fill-finish equipment, two vial types were tested: standard 2R borosilicate vials (4.4 g) with a wall thickness of 1 mm and 2 ml Viridian Vials (3.5g) with a wall thickness of 0.7 mm. These vials were run at filling line speeds of 450 vials per minute and recirculated >120 times, simulating >200,000 vials processed for each group.
The results showed no breakage observed in washing, depyrogenation, accumulation, singulation, or at the star wheels. Additionally, Viridian Vials exhibited a lower tip over rate compared to conventional vials. There were no functional issues observed with washing, depyrogenation, and there was no need for modification of the fill-finish line [1].
Patented External Coating
Viridian Vials’ low-friction external coating minimizes cracks, breaks, and cosmetic rejects while improving filling-line efficiency by up to 50% compared to conventional glass vials. Corning’s external coating can also reduce glass particulates from fill-finish by up to 96% [2], helping our customers increase drug yield production in a more sustainable manner.
Sustainable Design
Viridian Vials use 20% less glass material than conventional glass vials. This reduction in glass material lowers manufacturing and transportation-related emissions by up to 30% and decreases the total amount of glass entering the waste stream.
By expanding the per-vial emission reduction to 10 million 2 ml vials (considered a small volume for most commercial drugs), Viridian Vials could save up to 114,000 kg of CO2 emissions, which is equivalent to consuming >12,900 gallons of gasoline [3].
Moreover, a 2 ml Viridian Vial weighs 3.5 g, compared to a conventional 2R that weighs 4.4 g [4]. Considering the same consumption volume of 10 million vials, Viridian Vials would eliminate 9 tons of glass from going to landfill.
Drop-In Solution
Viridian Vials are an externally coated Type I borosilicate vials that can improve quality and boost filling line efficiency, helping our customers increase drug production in an environmentally friendly package.
The external dimensions of Viridian Vials are consistent with ISO standards and meet
Conclusion
References
1. Corning® Viridian™ Vials | Corning
2. Primary Pharmaceutical Glass Packaging Technology for Medical Glass Vials and Containers | Valor Glass | Corning
3. Source: https://www.epa.gov/climateleadership/scope-3-inventory-guidance
4. A 2 ml Viridian Vial has the same external dimensions as a 2R vial
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