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Packaging and Logistics Innovations in the Pharmaceutical Industry

 - PHARM Connect Congress 2025 - 

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At its 14th edition, PHARM Connect once again proved to be a key meeting point for the pharmaceutical industry in Central and Eastern Europe. The congress brought together decision-makers, technical experts, and solution providers to explore the latest trends and innovations shaping pharma manufacturing, packaging, and logistics.

On the packaging side, delegates from pharmaceutical manufacturers could meet a lineup of leading suppliers who, together, cover the full 360° of the packaging and logistics value chain. Among this year’s exhibitors, PLASTRADE Packaging and Fette Compacting presented new developments in primary packaging and tableting technology, while Wipotec and Vimachem focused on advanced secondary packaging, inspection, and digital manufacturing solutions. In pharmaceutical logistics, TiszaTextil and Berlin-based Cabka showcased systems designed to support safe, efficient, and sustainable material handling and transport.

In collaboration with PHARM Connect as exclusive media partner, Transpack Magazin has published an in-depth overview of the exhibitors shaping the future of pharmaceutical packaging in Central and Eastern Europe and beyond. The feature underlines how these companies use PHARM Connect to amplify their presence, forge new partnerships, and position their technologies across a rapidly evolving regional market:

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Innovative Primary Packaging for Sensitive Products

Continuous innovation and robust quality assurance define the field of pharmaceutical packaging - an area in which PLASTRADE Packaging Kft. has become a dominant regional player. With more than 30 years of presence in the Hungarian market, the company is now one of Central and Eastern Europe’s leading suppliers of plastic and glass primary packaging. Through strong partnerships with established Western European manufacturers, PLASTRADE offers both standard and fully customised solutions for pharmaceutical, cosmetic, household, and food applications.

At PHARM Connect, PLASTRADE presented the latest innovations from its French manufacturing partner, including next-generation sterile ready-to-use glass containers, ultra-clear glass options, and lyophilisation-specific vials.

One of the standout developments is the introduction of pre-sterilised, ready-to-use glass vials. By eliminating the need for sterilisation steps in pharmaceutical production, these containers significantly reduce contamination risks while enabling faster time-to-market. Other advancements include highly durable, optically clear glass vials that improve the visual inspection of liquid drugs.

Specialised glass formats developed for lyophilised products also caught attention. These solutions optimise freeze-drying performance by improving heat transfer and reducing the risk of cracking - helping manufacturers stabilise sensitive formulations and increase efficiency during filling and sealing.

Further innovations showcased included interior silicone coatings that reduce adhesion between drug product and container - critical for accurate dosing - and external plastic coatings that enhance light protection, break resistance, and overall safety during storage and transport.

Because modern pharmaceutical packaging extends beyond the container itself, PLASTRADE also demonstrated its holistic approach to packaging systems. Through its Swiss partner, Rychiger Pharmatech AG, the company presented the Z-810 robotic packaging system, designed for precision dosing and sealing of both liquid and solid formulations. Offering a sterile, highly automated environment, the system minimises manual intervention, protects sensitive APIs, and reduces the risk of error while increasing production efficiency.

These solutions reflect PLASTRADE’s mission to support manufacturers with packaging technologies that enhance product protection, production efficiency, competitiveness, and sustainability compliance.

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Next-Generation Tableting Technologies

One of the most critical steps in solid dosage manufacturing is turning raw APIs and excipients into final, patient-ready dosage forms. In this area, Fette Compacting plays a central role as one of the world’s leading manufacturers of tablet presses, offering integrated solutions designed to optimise every stage of tableting.

As the industry moves steadily toward continuous manufacturing, Fette Compacting is developing systems that support this transition. The FE CPS (Continuous Processing System) is a streamlined production concept designed around simplicity and efficiency. Compared with traditional batch models, it allows shorter production cycles and faster product changeovers, offering manufacturers a flexible alternative in an environment where agility is increasingly important.

Fette Compacting designs high-tech machinery not only for the pharmaceutical sector, but also for the nutrition and chemical industries. Its portfolio includes tablet presses, tableting tools, and processing equipment. To maximise the value of this technology in daily operations, the company has also developed alva, a digital training platform for operators and technicians. This training environment helps users fully leverage the capabilities of Fette machines, supporting ongoing performance improvement and strengthening process reliability. With this combination of advanced technology and continuous learning, Fette Compacting positions itself as a long-term partner for manufacturers pursuing excellence in tableting.

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Labelling, Serialization, and RFID for Full Traceability

Wipotec is recognised globally as a leading provider of precision weighing, inspection, track & trace, and labelling systems, with a strong focus on pharmaceutical applications. The company offers comprehensive solutions to support regulatory compliance, product safety, and efficient manufacturing and logistics processes.

With deep expertise in serialization, aggregation, and RFID technologies, Wipotec has become one of the most influential players in ensuring end-to-end traceability for medicines. Its systems are designed to address the many challenges of pharmaceutical packaging, and their modular architecture allows seamless integration into existing production lines. Software updates keep systems aligned with evolving regulatory frameworks, enabling both larger and smaller manufacturers to expand capabilities without disruptive overhauls.

Automated labelling, coding, and serial number management are only the starting point. Aggregation - linking individual serial numbers to larger packaging units - further enhances supply chain transparency and simplifies logistics. One flagship system, the TQS-HC-A, not only manages serialization but also incorporates integrated checkweighing. Optional modules add further functions, such as tamper-evident sealing and country-specific labelling. High-precision, high-speed checkweighers can handle a wide range of packaging formats and sizes.

By integrating serialization, aggregation, and accurate weight control, Wipotec helps manufacturers address core priorities: product safety, regulatory compliance, and smooth logistics operations. In an industry where details matter, the company acts as a reliable partner for ensuring precise and secure secondary packaging processes.

Wipotec’s innovations are strongly aligned with Industry 4.0 principles. Automation, data connectivity, and increasingly, artificial intelligence are playing a larger role in unique product identification and supply chain optimisation. Its RFID and labelling technologies are widely used not only in pharma, but also in the food, cosmetics, electronics, and logistics sectors.

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AI-Driven, Modular Manufacturing Solutions

US-headquartered Vimachem, active in more than 20 countries, is transforming pharmaceutical and biotech production with its AI-enabled, modular Vimachem Pharma MES platform. Designed exclusively for the life sciences sector and now deployed at over 200 manufacturing sites worldwide, the platform connects enterprise systems and shop-floor equipment to deliver real-time visibility, control, and optimisation of production processes.

Vimachem’s modular applications can be implemented individually or as an integrated layer with existing ERP systems. Its services range from full MES implementation and integration through production digitalisation, serialization optimisation, system validation, and quality assurance support. Annual service packages include software updates, remote assistance via dedicated web services and ticketing systems, as well as diagnostics and root-cause analysis -ensuring continuous performance and reliability.

With global serialization regulations becoming more complex, manufacturers need advanced systems to secure product integrity and maintain transparency across the entire supply chain. Vimachem’s Level 3 Serialization Site Manager (SSM) module delivers precisely this: comprehensive support for serialization and aggregation with a modular architecture that can be tailored to specific production needs.

The SSM framework supports everything from master data management and label design to product-level identification and rework processes. AI-powered manufacturing analytics and Overall Equipment Effectiveness (OEE) tracking provide deeper operational insight and help improve performance. Warehouse serialization and packaging scheduling modules help coordinate production flows, maximising line utilisation and capacity.

Crucially, the platform goes beyond compliance. By reducing preparation time, eliminating coding and packaging errors through pre-production validation, and minimising unplanned downtime, the solution delivers significant efficiency gains in packaging operations. The result is higher throughput, better OEE, and more cost-effective manufacturing.

By combining regulatory expertise with state-of-the-art technology, Vimachem’s SSM platform offers pharma manufacturers a future-proof way to navigate evolving serialization requirements while safeguarding product integrity and operational excellence.

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Efficient Material Handling and Maximum Protection

With more than three decades of experience, TiszaTextil is one of the industry leaders supporting pharmaceutical and API manufacturers in optimising material-handling processes. Founded in 1991, the company has continuously expanded its expertise in plastic-based packaging and now plays a key role in logistics solutions for the pharmaceutical sector. It also serves the chemical, agricultural, and food industries with solutions that prioritise product safety and transport efficiency.

For pharmaceutical manufacturers, safe storage and material handling are crucial. TiszaTextil’s Pharma Minibag system is an innovative, modular framework designed specifically for APIs, powders, tablets, and capsules. Produced in pharmaceutical cleanrooms and compliant with ISO 9001, ISO 14001, and ISO 15378 standards, Pharma Minibag meets the highest quality and regulatory expectations.

One of its major advantages is the complete elimination of cross-contamination, thanks to its single-use design, which removes the need for cleaning and validation reduces operating costs. The modular system - with collapsible, rollable, and stackable frames - optimises storage, handling, and warehousing capacity, while accessories such as document holders, vents, and dedicated connectors make it easier to handle both raw materials and finished products.

The solution can be deployed across every stage of pharmaceutical production: filling, lifting, blending, storage, dosing, packaging, and transport. It simultaneously supports high levels of product safety and efficient, streamlined manufacturing processes.

With several production sites across Europe, TiszaTextil offers fast and flexible service, minimising lead times and logistics costs. Environmental performance is equally essential: the company actively applies circular economy principles in its manufacturing processes to reduce environmental impact. Its EcoVadis Gold rating underlines its strong performance in sustainable industrial packaging. By combining plastics know-how with sector-specific pharma expertise, TiszaTextil provides effective answers to current and future logistics challenges in the pharmaceutical industry.

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Perfect Control and Sustainable Transport

The pharmaceutical industry is undergoing constant transformation, driven by rising expectations in efficiency, compliance, and sustainability. Pallet and container systems - often underestimated - play a critical role in safely moving highly sensitive APIs and finished medicines worldwide.

Traditional wooden pallets can introduce multiple risks, including bacterial contamination, splintering, and inconsistent quality. Recognising these challenges, Berlin-based Cabka has developed a modern range of plastic pallets and containers engineered to meet the strict requirements of the pharmaceutical industry.

These pallets feature closed surfaces that prevent contamination build-up, moisture absorption, and microbial growth, ensuring hygienic conditions and enhanced safety. Their chemically resistant design allows easy cleaning, while their lightweight yet highly durable construction provides long-term reliability. At the end of their service life, Cabka pallets and containers can be fully recycled, supporting more efficient and sustainable pharmaceutical logistics.

Cabka further enhances supply chain transparency with its Track & Trace technology, which leverages RFID and IoT integration to enable real-time monitoring of pallet and container location, temperature, and handling conditions. This visibility offers a significant advantage in the fight against counterfeiting, reduces the risk of product manipulation, and improves logistics efficiency by giving manufacturers full control over shipments and helping minimise product loss or damage.

The company’s pallets and containers also offer excellent thermal insulation and are compatible with automated handling systems. For large-volume distribution, their light weight combined with exceptional robustness supports reliable, smooth operations.

Cabka’s approach is based on closed-loop recycling: pallets and containers are manufactured from recycled materials and can be reprocessed again at the end of their lifecycle. This reduces demand for new raw materials, limits waste generation, and lowers CO₂ emissions across the supply chain. Cabka’s goal is to help its customers achieve their sustainability targets with environmentally responsible solutions, without sacrificing safety or performance.

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Summary

The solutions presented at PHARM Connect 2025 in the fields of packaging and logistics highlight a clear direction: manufacturers are increasingly prioritising systems that not only meet strict regulatory requirements, but also enhance productivity and reduce environmental impact.

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Year after year, PHARM Connect continues to broaden its professional scope, reinforcing its role as a science-business forum where cutting-edge R&D meets practical implementation and commercial opportunity. Beyond the packaging innovators featured in this article, a wide spectrum of technology and solution providers - including MaxFlow, ZETA, Hamilton, Vinco Valves and SciEngineer - also presented their capabilities at the 14th edition, highlighting the diversity of expertise shaping the region’s pharmaceutical and biotech landscape.

Join us next year to experience the full scale of innovation first-hand and connect with leaders driving progress across the industry.

Save the dates: 4–5 March 2026, Budapest.

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