Airnov Healthcare Packaging is introducing a new vial for the protection of diagnostic and nutraceutical products. The Hat In vial utilizes Airnov’s advanced desiccant polymer (ADP) technology integrated into the vial itself to offer a high moisture barrier as well as moisture adsorption. The vial is designed to be easily integrated into automated filling lines for fast, reliable production, said Airnov.
The Airnov story started with the foundation of Airsec in 1952. Airsec was founded to help preserve patients’ critical medicines with desiccant solutions. In 2019, Arsenal Capital Partners acquired Clariant Healthcare Packaging and re-branded the company Airnov. In 2002, the first sales office was established in India, followed by the greenfield manufacturing plant opening in 2018.
Airnov Healthcare Packaging offers shelf-life preservation solutions to protect pharmaceutical, nutraceutical and diagnostic products from moisture and oxygen. This includes drop-in sorbents such as canisters and packets, integrated desiccant systems, and specially designed container-closure systems. Airnov has five manufacturing plants located in France, the US, China, and India
Airnov said ADP technology combines the ease of design and production of plastics with the moisture adsorption properties of desiccants to create a vial lining ideal for moisture-sensitive products such as diagnostic test strips. The ADP material is injected molded to fit snugly in the Hat In the cavity, providing a high barrier to external moisture and adsorbing moisture on the vial’s headspace. The ergonomic hinged lid closes tight with an audible click to further keep moisture ingress at a minimum, protecting even high-sensitivity glucose test strips.
These features also make the Hat In a suitable container for nutraceuticals, such as probiotics, said Airnov. Molecular sieve packets are widely used throughout the industry to protect these moisture-sensitive supplements but require larger bottles due to desiccant volume. The Hat In vial’s space-saving design protects the same amount of product in a smaller footprint, increasing the number of containers per shipment.
The Hat In vial is the newest offering in Airnov’s active and ergonomic vials, joining the Hat Snap and Hat In Snap vials currently available on the market. “This new vial continues to grow our core business of healthcare packaging solutions,” says Nicolas Martinez, global product line manager. “We are now poised to offer customers in nutraceuticals, diagnostics, and medical devices a full suite of protective vials.”
According to Airnov, the use of ADP in vials allows for greater production capacity without the need for drop-in desiccants. With the desiccant embedded in the vial’s actual lining, there is no risk of dust contamination within the container. The container is delivered to customers closed, minimizing moisture exposure before being filled and sealed on automated filling lines. The Hat In meets US FDA, China FDA, and EU regulations, with regulatory statements available upon request.
