BROUGHT TO YOU BY PMMI MEDIA BRANDS:
2026
Edition
Pharmaceutical
Innovations Report
From The Editors
Welcome to the 2026 Healthcare Packaging/ Packaging World Innovations Report.
This second-year report showcases standout packaging and processing equipment and materials spotted by PMMI Media Group editors at PACK EXPO Las Vegas, held September 29–October 1, 2025.
Editors highlight the defining features of each new product and capture videos of the innovations in action on the show floor. What follows is an organized, category-by-category look at the most noteworthy and genuinely new solutions drawn from hundreds of booth visits, and curated through decades of combined editorial experience.
Participating editors included:
- Matt Reynolds, Chief Editor, Packaging World
- Liz Cuneo, Editor in Chief, Healthcare Packaging
- Derrick Teal, Editor in Chief, ProFood World
- Anne Marie Mohan, Senior Editor, Packaging World
- Lilián Robayo Páez, Editor in Chief, Mundo EXPO PACK
- Silvia Gamba, Assistant Editor, Mundo EXPO PACK
- Casey Flanagan, Associate Editor, ProFood World
- Sean Riley, Editor in Chief, OEM Magazine
- Pat Reynolds, Contributor, Packaging World
- Rick Lingle, Contributor, Packaging World
Pharmaceutical
Introduction
Optimizing Pharma Lines
Pharmaceutical packaging plays a critical role in maintaining drug stability, safety, and patient adherence while meeting regulatory requirements. Today's developments in pharmaceutical materials and machinery are reshaping manufacturing and packaging operations. These solutions include cutting-edge automation, robotics, and smart manufacturing systems for optimizing production lines, while new barrier films, coatings, and sustainable materials are improving product protection and environmental performance.
Pharmaceutical
Innovations Report
Blister/Unit Dose
Sustainable / Recyclable
Liveo Research
One material blister (OMB)
Recycle ready
Recyclable in existing streams.
Drop-in solution
The OMB runs efficiently on all standard PVC thermoforming lines without changes.
Sustainability has moved from the margins to the mainstream of pharmaceuticals, with eco-friendly materials now seen as essential to both global health and corporate credibility.
Liz Cuneo
Editor-in-Chief, Healthcare Packaging
One material blister (OMB)
Liveo Research
Shown here is a push-through example.
One material blister (OMB)
Liveo Research
Key Features
The OMB, one material blister, can be made from PP or PET materials to replace PVC and aluminum lidding and can be recycled in streams today.
BEGIN SPONSORED CONTENT
Bell-Mark
InteliJet HD3R Reel-to-Reel Piezo Inkjet System
Print entire rolls of material, including labels, in-house, on demand, with total UDI compliance. Take control of your preprinted material inventory and reduce lead times from weeks to minutes.
The new InteliJet HD3R Reel-to-Reel Piezo Inkjet System is a powerful, all-in-one solution for printing entire rolls of material in-house, on- demand in full-color CMYK.
InteliJet LPc TIJ 4.0 Printer
Ultra-fast, 1200 DPI, 22mm print width. Discover why the LPc is the new standard in case coding.
InteliJet HD3S Piezo Inkjet Printer
Unparalleled printing precision with immediate returns on efficiency for medical & pharma packaging.
InteliJet TS Thermal Inkjet Printer
Hassle-free, cartridge-based printing solution. Print UDI & EUMDR barcodes with ZERO maintenance.
END SPONSORED CONTENT
High Speed
Fast Changeover
PharmaWorks (Pro Mach)
TF1 Pro
First-time Exhibitor
First time the TF1 Pro has been at PACK EXPO.
Configurable
It can be configured to transfer blisters out the front, rear, or inline with the machine.
Modern blister packaging technology brings together high-speed performance and adaptable configurations to meet the demands of today’s production lines.
Liz Cuneo
Editor-in-Chief, Healthcare Packaging
TF1 Pro
PharmaWorks (Pro Mach)
With speeds up to 100 indexes per minute and a usable forming range of 120mm x 165mm, the TF1 Pro blister machine is a versatile platform.
Full cGMP machine developed by the voice of the customer.
TF1 Pro
PharmaWorks (Pro Mach)
Key Features
Fully servo-driven, the intermittent motion TF1 Pro supports both thermoforming and cold forming applications and is compatible with all corresponding materials. The TF1 Pro is suitable for tablets, capsules, softgels, vials, syringes, liquids and more.
BEGIN SPONSORED CONTENT
ESS Technologies, a Pacteon Company
END-OF-LINE PHARMA SOLUTIONS
Boost Throughput with Reliable Automation
Multi-format cartoners and case packers reduce downtime - perfect for small runs. Ultra-compact and integrated palletizers save on floorspace. Reliable automation boosts throughput without adding labor costs.
Flexible Case Packers
Fast changeover & integration options: track & trace, vision inspection, labeling, IO/Q validation.
Space Saving Mini Palletizer
Maximum efficiency with compact design. Operator-friendly HMI. Flexible options.
Integrated Stretch Wrappers
Simplify operations and create floor space with integrated palletizers, labelers, & wrappers.
END SPONSORED CONTENT
High Speed
Fast Changeover
Operator Friendly
Fette Compacting
F30p tablet press
Smart Interface
24/7 access to data, documentation, and machine real-time monitoring by mobile devices.
Hig Speed
The F30p has a maximum output of up to 1.14 million tablets per hour.
High-speed tablet pressing isn’t just about faster production — it’s about achieving precision, consistency, and quality at scale.
Liz Cuneo
Editor-in-Chief, Healthcare Packaging
F30p tablet press
Fette Compacting
Producers can adapt the tablet press swiftly to various product requirements.
F30p tablet press
Fette Compacting
Key Features
The F30p is the double rotary tablet press in the new p Series. Designed for the production of large batches, the F30p provides maximum output of up to 1.14 million tablets per hour.
BEGIN SPONSORED CONTENT
MRP Solutions
Sleek CR®
Give Your Child Resistant Caps a Branding Boost
MRP Solutions’ Sleek CR® child resistant closures deliver trusted security and brandability, meeting CPSC standards. Create a custom look with text, graphics, or finishes, including our new satin option.
NutraGen II® dispensing closures
Controlled vitamin dispensing, easy-open design for all pill sizes and types.
Custom Closures That Stand Out
MRP’s Photorealistic Printing, a new closure decorating capability for unmatched brand flexibility.
Trust MRP for your healthcare packaging
MRP Solutions leads healthcare packaging with child-resistant closures for pharmaceuticals.
END SPONSORED CONTENT
Pharmaceutical
Innovations Report
Bottling Tablets/Capsules
Technology Excellence
High Speed
Operator Friendly
Smart HMI
Small Footprint
Kaps-All
BK-4 Belt Capper
Precision Belt Capping
Four-belt system replaces traditional discs for smoother, more accurate torque control on closures from 13–70 mm.
Pharma-grade Assurance
Built-in sensors and reject mechanisms detect missing, skewed, or loose caps to ensure every container meets spec.
For pharmaceutical packagers, the BK-4 Belt Capper delivers precision and confidence—combining smart controls, rapid changeovers, and built-in quality assurance in one compact system.
Matt Reynolds
Chief Editor, Packaging World
BK-4 Belt Capper
Kaps-All
Color HMI with recipe storage, alerts, and multilingual controls simplifies setup and enhances operator confidence.
Linear encoder and motorized head height enable quick, repeatable changeovers across vial-to-gallon formats.
BK-4 Belt Capper
Kaps-All
Key Features
Kaps-All’s BK-4 Belt Capper delivers precision torque control, fast changeovers, and integrated quality assurance for pharmaceutical packaging lines.
BEGIN SPONSORED CONTENT
SpotSee
WarmMark® QR
Temperature excursions in cold chain pharma?
Learn how a Florida mail-order pharmacy implemented WarmMark® QR, saving them $180,000 per year.
FreezeSafe QR™
A remotely monitored freeze sensor enabled by smartphones to detect and report temperature excursions.
ColdChain Complete
ColdChain Complete is a cost-effective solution for monitoring temperature sensitive products.
Thermax® 40°C
Discover how the Thermax 40°C label, a WHO-certified temperature indicator, protects the cold chain.
END SPONSORED CONTENT
Fast Changeover
Small Footprint
High Speed
Operator Friendly
Smart HMI
MG America
MG2 Essentia
High Speed
Speed from 4,000 to 100,000 capsules per hour.
Operator Friendly
Fast, toolless changeover, plus shorter cleaning and maintenance times.
Toolless changeover transforms production from a process to a flow — minimizing downtime, eliminating complexity, and keeping operators focused on performance, not parts.
Liz Cuneo
Editor-in-Chief, Healthcare Packaging
MG2 Essentia
MG America
High-speed continuous motion capsule filling for powders, pellets, and liquids.
MG2 Essentia
MG America
Key Features
Inspired by a human-centered design (HCD), Essentia has been designed for users who search for perfect capsule filling, ergonomics, and attractive price, all combined in one small footprint capsule filling machine.
Fast Changeover
Small Footprint
For Smaller Companies
NJM (ProMach)
CFE tablet counter
High Speed
The CFE is available with either three or four counting heads capable of speeds up to 200 BPM.
Modular Design
This allows floor space optimization with unique configurations for challenging room layouts in nutraceutical, pharmaceutical, and CDMO plants.
Modular design isn’t just efficient — it’s intelligent. By fitting more capability into less space, it allows manufacturers to scale smartly without expanding their footprint.
Liz Cuneo
Editor-in-Chief, Healthcare Packaging
CFE tablet counter
NJM (ProMach)
This machine has a simple, quick & toolless changeover.
The design reduces the amount of product contact parts allowing for quicker cleaning and changeover.
CFE tablet counter
NJM (ProMach)
Key Features
The NJM CFE Tablet Counter offers extreme flexibility and is available with either three or four counting heads capable of speeds up to 200 bottles per minute.
Sustainable / Recyclable
Papacks
Custom fiber molded packaging
Custom packaging
Tailor-made packaging solutions
Fiber Based
Packaging made from molded cellulose fibers.
Once considered too fragile for medicine, fiber-based materials are now reshaping pharmaceutical packaging—offering strength, protection, and a lighter footprint on the planet.
Liz Cuneo
Editor-in-Chief
Custom fiber molded packaging
Papacks
Fiber forms for numerous applications in cosmetics, medical, and pharmaceutical industries. A plant-based coating is possible for barrier protection.
Custom fiber molded packaging
Papacks
Key Features
Fiber molding experts that partner with companies to create fiber based packaging like blister, bottles, and more.
Fast Changeover
Operator Friendly
Pharmapack
Linear rotary capper
Easy Changeover
The machine is designed for operators to easily access the chucks for simplified changeover.
With faster transitions between SKUs or packaging formats, companies can produce a wider range of products without sacrificing speed or profitability.
Liz Cuneo
Editor-in-Chief, Healthcare Packaging
Linear rotary capper
Pharmapack
The rotary capper is an automatic screw capping machine designed specifically for the pharmaceutical, healthcare, and food industries.
Linear rotary capper
Pharmapack
Key Features
The machine is designed for maximum efficiency and versatility. It utilizes the latest technology to automatically place and precisely torque a wide spectrum of cap types onto virtually any bottle type.
Pharmaceutical
Innovations Report
Cold Chain
Nordic Cold Chain
GLP-1 mailer
Space Savings
The mailer ships flat and is vaccuum sealed to take up less warehouse space.
Patient Safe
The mailers maintain the 2°C–8°C range.
New materials and data-enabled designs are making cold chain shippers smarter, lighter, and more sustainable — without compromising performance.
Liz Cuneo
Editor-in-Chief, Healthcare Packaging
GLP-1 mailer
Nordic Cold Chain
The first cold chain packaging designed and tested specifically for GLP-1 shipments.
GLP-1 mailer
Nordic Cold Chain
Key Features
Helps to reduce warehouse space instead of using a cooler that takes up a lot of space, these mailers ship flat and keep the GLP-1 in the 2°C–8°C range. Maintaining this range from storage to patient delivery is critical for safety and efficacy.
Sustainable / Recyclable
TemperPack
Qualified Sustainable Pharma Shipper
Sustainability
Packaging replaces EPS insulation with GreenCell Foam made from starch that cuts plastic waste.
End-of-Life Options
Starch-based insulation that is home- or industrially compostable dissolves in water and can be rinsed down a sink.
Compostable packaging has limited practical uses, but starch-based insulation that replaces single-use, unrecyclable EPS is a smart choice.
Rick Lingle
Contributing Editor
Qualified Sustainable Pharma Shipper
TemperPack
TemperPack compostable packaging addresses regulatory activity that penalizes single-use packaging that ends up as landfilled trash.
The Qualified Shipper Program includes lab report, user instructions, home/industrially compostable insulation, coolants, and corrugated shipper.
Qualified Sustainable Pharma Shipper
TemperPack
Key Features
The Qualified Shipper Program includes ISTA Certified Thermal Transport Lab report, pack-out instructions, compostable insulation, coolants, and an outer corrugated box that’s easily recycled.
Pharmaceutical
Innovations Report
Liquids/Vials/Injectors
High Speed
Small Footprint
Dara
HSL Cap 8
Small Footprint
Compact machine capable of high output.
Vial capping is one of the final—but most vital—steps in sterile drug manufacturing, sealing in product integrity and patient safety with every closure.
Liz Cuneo
Editor-in-Chief, Healthcare Packaging
HSL Cap 8
Dara
High-speed vial closing machine with outputs up to 36,000 uph.
HSL Cap 8
Dara
Key Features
Dara is an aseptic fill/finish company for vials, cartridges, syringes, and more. The HSL Cap 8 machine caps and crimps vials with minimal particle generation during crimping.
High Speed
Operator Friendly
IMA
Swipe Pharma Labeler
High-speed Labeling
Labels can be applied at speeds to 800/min.
Versatility
This labeler handles vials, ampules, or cartridges.
Fully modular, Swipe can be configured for in-line loading/unloading, stand-alone operations with trays, or hybrid setups.
Pat Reynolds
Contributing Editor
Swipe Pharma Labeler
IMA
Cognex vision system identifies bad labels so that container can be automatically rejected.
With a performance boost over previous models, Swipe reaches speeds to 800 containers/min.
Swipe Pharma Labeler
IMA
Key Features
This high-speed pressure sensitive labeler is operator friendly and highly configurable.
Robotic
High Speed
PharmaMed
Vial tray unloader
Non-Contact Handling
Non-contact vial handling reduces damage.
Non-contact vial unloading technology eliminates glass-to-glass contact, ensuring container integrity while optimizing throughput and reducing operator intervention.
Liz Cuneo
Editor-in-Chief, Healthcare Packaging
Vial tray unloader
PharmaMed
Non-contact vial handling
Vial tray unloader
PharmaMed
Key Features
Vial tray unloader features robotic picking and transport through the line, complete with 360-degree inspection.
High Speed
Technology Excellence
Syntegon
MLD Advanced
RTU filling
High-performance RTU filling
Checkweighing
100% in process checkweighing.
Precise filling in the pharmaceutical space is key; even a fractional deviation from target fill volumes can impact treatment outcomes — especially with potent drugs, biologics, or vaccines.
Liz Cuneo
Editor-in-Chief, Healthcare Packaging
MLD Advanced
Syntegon
MLD Advanced safely packs medicines with precision filling.
MLD Advanced
Syntegon
Key Features
MLD Advanced helps produce aseptic medicines in the pharmaceutical space for sterile filling and finishing vials, cartridge, and syringes at 400 container per minute with 100% in process checkweighing.
High Speed
Technology Excellence
Small Footprint
WLS (ProMach)
PR-12, PR-24
All-in-One
Plunger rod insertion and labeling.
Accurate
System monitors position errors for the plunger rod insertion set values.
Combining high-speed labeling with automated plunger rod insertion transforms syringe packaging into a seamless, continuous process.
Liz Cuneo
Editor-in-Chief, Healthcare Packaging
PR-12, PR-24
WLS (ProMach)
PR-12 and PR-24 insert the plunger rod, torque it into place, and then label the syringe.
Compensates for plunger placement tolerance +/- 5mm.
PR-12, PR-24
WLS (ProMach)
Key Features
One compact unit for high-speed, high-quality labeling for syringes. As the plunger rod is inserted at high speeds, the machine is able to compensate for plunger placement, plus torque is monitored for no plunger movement.
Pharmaceutical
Innovations Report
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Innovations Report
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Innovations Report
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Our Editors
Matt Reynolds
Chief Editor
Packaging World
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Anne Marie Mohan
Senior Editor
Packaging World
.jpg)
Elisabeth Cuneo
Editor in Chief
Healthcare Packaging
Derrick Teal
Editor in Chief
ProFood World
Sean Riley
Editor in Chief
OEM Magazine
.jpg)
Lilián Robayo Páez
Editor in Chief
Mundo EXPO PACK
.jpg)
Silvia Gamba
Editor
Mundo EXPO PACK
Casey Flanagan
Associate Editor
Packaging World
.jpg)
Patrick Reynolds
Contributor
Packaging World
Rick Lingle
Contributor
Packaging World
We'd love to hear your feedback!
editors@pmmimediagroup.com
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