Glass is one of the oldest materials that has accompanied the history and the development of human species.

The history of glass dates back as far as the Neolithic age, around 7000 B.C., when glass was used by man as a tool.

Even then, the excellent properties of these naturally occurring glassy minerals were recognised and appreciated. For example, thanks to its sharp edges, obsidian was suitable for use as a wedge or scraper.

Over time, glass has been used to manufacture common use objects, such as dishes, jars and tools. With the Industrial Revolution, glass also started to be used as packaging material, containing a wide range of goods such as food and other objects.

Glass has been used to transport and store dry and liquid pharmaceutical products since the 1700s, and it has been used for more than a century in industrial production.

Indeed, glass is a unique material with outstanding properties; in particular, its chemical stability and inertness make it ideal for the packaging and storage of pharmaceuticals.

In addition, glass is also ideal for resisting the more stressful processes, such as sterilisation or freeze-drying, to which some drugs are subjected.

Furthermore, it is transparent, allowing the user to inspect the contents for degradation or contamination prior to use, and it can be coloured for easy identification or added functionality such as preventing light degradation of the contents.

Unlike crystalline materials, glass can be reshaped by heating into complex shapes with thin walls, and glass is gas impermeable, keeping water, oxygen, and other gases that might cause oxidation or degradation away from the liquid.

Industrial manufacturing of glass dates back to XVIII century; the history of Bormioli Pharma international health solution provider manufacturing glass and plastic primary packaging for pharmaceutical use, began a century later, in 1825, when Bormioli Rocco firm was established in Fidenza, Northern Italy.

In the 20th century, the company developed a specific branch dedicated to serve the pharmaceutical market, with continuous investments to broaden the industrial platform, such as the opening in the 60s of a new glass manufacturing plant dedicated to the pharma industry in Bergantino, Italy.

In 2017 the branch of Bormioli Rocco serving the pharma industry has become independent, giving birth to Bormioli Pharma, an EU-based pharma packaging manufacturer with a global presence in over 100 countries, more than 1,400 employees and 10 plants in 3 different European countries (Italy, Germany, France).

The company produces every year over 7 billion pieces of packaging and accessories for pharmaceutical use in glass and plastics, generating annual revenues for €260 million.

The company also features dedicated, on-site commercial presence in United States and China, to better serve overseas clients.