Tokyo-based TOPPAN Holdings has acquired patented technology from Asahi Kasei Corporation related to brittle lidding materials for push-through blister packs, in a move that underlines the group’s ambitions in sustainable pharmaceutical packaging. The transfer of the technology was completed on November 28, TOPPAN said on December 12.
The transaction gives TOPPAN ownership of a portfolio of 12 patents, including a core patent covering brittle film materials designed to deliver reliable push-through performance. By integrating the acquired technology with its existing barrier film, packaging and printing capabilities, TOPPAN is positioning itself for a full-scale entry into the global push-through blister pack market.
The move comes as pharmaceutical packaging faces growing pressure to reduce environmental impact, particularly in Europe, where regulatory frameworks and corporate sustainability commitments are accelerating the shift away from aluminium-intensive and multi-material formats. Blister packs remain one of the most widely used pharmaceutical packaging formats worldwide, but their traditional construction—typically combining aluminium foil lidding with PVC or polypropylene bases—poses significant challenges for recycling and circularity.
TOPPAN said the newly acquired brittle lidding technology directly addresses this tension between sustainability and performance. In pharmaceutical packaging, aluminium foil has long been relied upon to achieve the high barrier properties required to protect sensitive drug products. However, it also represents a major obstacle to material simplification and recycling.
By combining brittle film technology with its proprietary GL BARRIER transparent barrier films, TOPPAN aims to develop aluminium-free blister pack designs that maintain push-through functionality and barrier performance. The company said this approach opens the door to push-through blister packs based on polyolefin materials such as polypropylene, enabling both aluminium-free and mono-material configurations.
Mono-material blister packs are increasingly viewed as a critical step towards improving recyclability. Conventional push-through blisters use different materials for the base and lidding, complicating waste separation and processing. TOPPAN said the use of polypropylene for both the blister base and the brittle lidding layer could allow mono-material designs that better align with emerging recycling systems and regulatory expectations.
The company also highlighted the role of its printing technologies in supporting sustainability goals. TOPPAN said its portfolio includes eco-friendly printing processes such as water-based flexographic printing, which minimises solvent use while improving print quality. Applied to blister packaging, these technologies could enhance consumer-facing visibility and traceability while further reducing environmental impact.
The acquisition fits into TOPPAN Holdings’ broader strategy of combining digital transformation and sustainability transformation to address what it describes as priority social challenges. Within its packaging business, the group has been expanding development and supply of environmentally conscious packaging solutions, with a particular focus on contributing to a circular economy.
Pharmaceutical packaging has emerged as a key focus area within this strategy. While demand for more sustainable solutions is rising, the sector’s strict quality, safety and stability requirements have limited the pace of material change. TOPPAN said the acquired technology strengthens its ability to meet these requirements while reducing reliance on aluminium and multi-material structures.
Looking ahead, TOPPAN said it plans to complete development of functional and eco-friendly push-through blister packs using the acquired technology by the end of its 2025 fiscal year. Samples are expected to be made available as part of this development phase, as the company prepares for commercial expansion in next-generation blister packaging.
The initiative will be positioned under the TOPPAN Group’s SMARTS™ sustainable brand, which brings together packaging technologies with digital, marketing and business process capabilities. Through SMARTS™, TOPPAN said it aims to offer sustainability-focused solutions across the value chain, working with stakeholders to support the transition to more environmentally responsible packaging systems.
As regulatory scrutiny intensifies and pharmaceutical companies reassess packaging footprints, TOPPAN’s acquisition signals a growing convergence between advanced materials science and sustainability-driven design in one of the most demanding segments of the packaging industry.
