Micro Bags: small desiccant bags for primary packaging
Story
Micro Bags are small desiccant pouches developed by Levosil in the 1980s.
“Micro Bag” is a trade name identifying small-format desiccant sachets, created to introduce to a growing market a moisture-control solution suitable also for small-size packaging.
The production of Micro Bags started following occasional requests from some customers, particularly those operating in the pharmaceutical sector.
In the initial phase, processing was carried out in a small dedicated department and in still limited quantities.
Over the years, the development of the pharmaceutical industry in Italy and the introduction of increasingly stringent quality requirements for pharmaceutical and nutraceutical products led to a progressive growth in demand for desiccants. In parallel, Levosil’s production evolved up to the current ISO 15378-certified department and the company’s registration with the local health authority (ASL) as a food-contact materials (MOCA) manufacturer. MOCA is the acronym for “Materials and Articles Intended to Come into Contact with Food”, meaning anything that comes into direct or indirect contact with food or beverages: packaging, sachets, containers, machinery, utensils and so on.
Moreover Levosil’s Micro Bags have a Drug Master Fine Type III.
Why are Micro Bags used in pharmaceutical packaging?
The advantage of using desiccant sachets such as Micro Bags inside pharmaceutical and dietary supplement packaging is twofold.
They preserve the quality of Active Pharmaceutical Ingredients
Firstly, they help preserve and maintain the full activity of Active Pharmaceutical Ingredients (APIs), which tend to degrade in the presence of moisture. They counteract issues such as hydrolysis, which affects several drugs like penicillin that could lose efficacy, and caking in hygroscopic products that tend to absorb moisture from the environment.
The use of desiccant Micro Bags is also recommended when protecting moisture-sensitive vitamins such as vitamin C, vitamin B1, vitamin B6, or folates, which may undergo so-called “potency loss,” meaning a reduction in the active ingredient content compared to what is declared on the label.
The main applications of Micro Bags in the pharmaceutical field therefore include effervescent medicines and dietary supplements, multivitamin complexes, several antibiotics and, more generally, all APIs that are themselves hygroscopic.
Increased shelf life
A second aspect, which has become particularly important in recent years, is that the use of Micro Bags inside pharmaceutical or dietary supplement packaging helps extend shelf life. A longer expiry date allows the product to remain “on the shelf” for a greater number of months before being withdrawn and destroyed. This represents not only a cost saving for the manufacturer, but also an important contribution to reducing pharmaceutical waste.
Primary packaging
Levosil Micro Bags are suitable for direct contact with food and dry products, in compliance with European regulations.
The production of desiccant sachets intended for direct contact with dry foods is a delicate operation and must be carried out in compliance with all applicable regulations. Proper manufacturing in full regulatory compliance represents a guarantee not only for the producer but also for the end user.
Thanks to more than twenty years of experience in production and collaboration with customers in this sector, Levosil is able to guarantee maximum product safety and compliance with legal requirements.
First of all, Levosil is registered with the local ASL as a MOCA manufacturer and is regularly audited by competent authorities as well as by its pharmaceutical and nutraceutical clients.
As far as the US market is concerned, Levosil Micro Bags also have a Type III Drug Master File.
- ISO 15378:2017
- Drug Master Fine Type III
- Active Packaging conforms to European Regulations
- Regulation (CE) 450/2009
- Regulation (CE) 1935/2004
- Regulation 1895/2005/CE
- Regulation 10/2011 CE
Micro Bags are specifically designed to protect sensitive pharmaceutical products by effectively controlling moisture levels. As they are produced directly by Levosil, customization in size and specifications is possible to meet unique requirements. Additionally, Micro Bags can be supplied on reels for automatic dispensing lines, ensuring seamless integration into your packaging process.
