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Blister packs

Blister packs are a type of packaging that consists of a plastic or aluminium cavity or blister, usually transparent, that is sealed to a backing material, such as a cardboard or foil sheet. Blister packs are commonly used to package small consumer goods, such as tablets, capsules, and other pharmaceutical products, as well as electronic components, batteries, and small toys. Blister packs can be designed to be tamper-evident and can also include child-resistant features to prevent accidental ingestion by children. They can be easily opened by pushing the blister out of the backing material or peeling off it. Blister packs provide several advantages over other types of packaging. They offer a high level of protection to the product from environmental factors such as moisture, air, and light. They are also easy to handle and store and can be customized with graphics and labelling to enhance product visibility and consumer appeal. Blister packs are commonly used to package a wide range of food products, especially single-serve or small portions of snacks and other food items. Some examples of food products that are often packaged in blister packs include: • Chewing gum • Mints • Candy • Chocolate and chocolate bars • Energy bars and protein bars • Single-serve coffee and tea pods • Condiments such as ketchup, mustard, and salad dressing • Butter and margarine • Cheese slices Ready-to-eat meals and snacks, such as trail mix, dried fruits, and nuts. Blister packs are often used for these types of products because they provide a high level of protection against environmental factors such as moisture, air, and light, which can affect the quality and freshness of the food. Additionally, blister packs are easy to handle and store, and can be customized with graphics and labelling to enhance product visibility and consumer appeal. The working principle of blister packs involves a process called thermoforming. In this process, a plastic film is heated until it becomes soft and pliable. The film is then placed over a mold or tool, which has cavities or depressions corresponding to the product's shape and size to be packaged. The softened plastic film is then drawn or vacuumed into the cavities of the mould, creating the blister or cavity that will hold the product. The mould is then cooled, which causes the plastic film to harden and retain its shape. The blister is then removed from the mould and attached to a backing material, such as a cardboard or foil sheet, which is coated with a heat-sealable material. The product is then placed in the blister, and the backing material is heat-sealed over the blister, creating a hermetic seal that protects the product from environmental factors such as moisture, air, and light. The blister pack can be designed to be tamper-evident and can also include child-resistant features to prevent accidental ingestion by children. Blister packs can be easily opened by pushing the blister out of the backing material or by peeling off the backing material. The advantages of blister packs include a high level of protection for the product, ease of handling and storage, and customizable graphics and labelling to enhance product visibility and consumer appeal. Blister packs are widely used across various industries, including pharmaceuticals, medical devices, consumer goods, and food packaging. According to a report by MarketsandMarkets, the global blister packaging market is expected to reach USD 28.38 billion by 2022, growing at a CAGR of 6.25% between 2017 and 2022. The growth of the blister packaging market is driven by factors such as increasing demand for unit dose packaging, growth in the pharmaceutical and medical device industries, and rising demand for convenience packaging. Additionally, advancements in packaging technology, such as the development of eco-friendly and sustainable blister packaging materials, are expected to drive the growth of the blister packaging market in the coming years. The pharmaceutical industry is the largest end-user of blister packaging, accounting for the majority of the market share. The demand for blister packaging in the pharmaceutical industry is driven by the need for secure and tamper-evident packaging for medicines, which ensures patient safety and prevents counterfeiting. The food and beverage industry is also a significant user of blister packaging, particularly for small, single-serve food products such as snacks, chocolate, and confectionery. Blister packaging provides a high level of protection against environmental factors such as moisture, air, and light, which can affect the quality and freshness of the food.