Company insight
Supporting manufacturers of medical technology
Product safety, reliability, sustainability and cost-effectiveness. With a mission of implementing the best possible packaging lines for manufacturers of medical technology, MULTIVAC continues to advance as a solution provider in line with the increasing requirements of the industry. Luc van de Vel, executive vice-president of the food, medical & consumer solutions business unit at MULTIVAC, explains what the future holds.
Where in the medical technology sector are your machines used? Luc van de Vel: We work closely with our medical technology customers worldwide to develop packaging lines that combine several well-coordinated, state-of-the-art technologies from a single source. In addition to our packaging machines, these include inspection systems, printing systems, labellers, loading and unloading systems, as well as downstream cartoners and palletisers. Customers use these solutions to package large quantities of conventional disposable products in high-speed applications, as well as increasingly small batches of high-tech, extremely sensitive medical products.
increasingly smaller batch sizes. And only through automation and ease of operation can manufacturers be productive even with a limited workforce and while guaranteeing the required product safety. Today, we are discussing the use of alternative and environmentally- friendly packaging materials with more and more customers.
MULTIVAN provide machines and solutions for medtech providers.
quality and a reliable sterile barrier even at high speeds, while nonetheless being exceptionally economical in terms of packaging material.
What value does MULTIVAC promise its medtech customers? MULTIVAC is evolving from a machine supplier to a solution provider. Our project managers, who have many years of experience, are available to assist medical technology companies as expert partners. They place great value on close collaboration to bring to life customised solutions based on very specific requirements. This begins with the development of an initial idea for a packaging solution, through concept design and the selection of packaging material to installation and staff training, maintenance and repair. In each individual case, the solutions must deliver maximum safety, reliability, cost effectiveness and sustainability. To achieve this goal, communication and trust play a key role in the collaboration. For instance, lines are being created to package sterile disposable gloves that guarantee optimal seal seam
What trends are you currently observing in the industry? The last three years have been challenging for manufacturers of medical technology. There were and still are many uncertainties. With the Covid-19 pandemic, disrupted supply chains, supply bottlenecks, price changes and energy issues, entirely new approaches have emerged. There are also increasing regulatory requirements, calls for environmental protection and sustainability and a worsening shortage of skilled workers. At the same time, we are seeing rapid technological developments. The complexity and sensitivity of medical technology products are increasing. So is the trend toward smaller batch sizes and individualisation.
As a provider of packaging solutions, we have to respond to all these developments. In addition to quality, product safety and productivity, simplicity, degree of automation and flexibility now also play a key role in investment security. Manufacturers need the flexibility to be able to quickly convert packaging lines to new products with
Medical Device Developments /
www.nsmedicaldevices.com
What role does the digitalisation of packaging equipment play?
In terms of productivity, digitalisation is opening up exciting new possibilities for manufacturers of medical technology. Our machines are equipped with numerous sensors whose data is made available via interfaces to higher-level systems for monitoring and assessing overall system effectiveness, identifying optimisation potential and continuously optimising the interaction of individual machines – from anywhere in the world, with a PC or mobile device via webpage. Also important is the documentation of all relevant process data that this enables and with it, proof that each batch was produced under the defined parameters. Another benefit of networking is the transfer of data in the reverse direction, from the higher-level system to the packaging line. In a closed system, variable data and print layout for a film printer can be loaded, for example, without an employee having to be on site. Digitalisation also plays an important role in the design phase of machines and lines. For example, the use of production simulations and virtual 3D models now greatly simplifies the decision-making process for many of our customers. ●
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