SGD Pharma has opened a new siliconisation operation at its Saint-Quentin Lamotte (SQLM) plant, France.

The pharmaceutical glass manufacturer said the move has enhanced its range of in-house services by internalising its glass siliconisation offer, which will ensure responsiveness, security of supply and improved flexibility of vial sizes.

Glass vials are regularly used for pharmaceutical packaging, though there is a growing market need for primary packaging that is suited to more sensitive, aggressive and viscous drug products.

The application of a micro-layer silicone-based internal coating to the container provides a protective barrier that minimises interaction between the drug product and the primary packaging, while preserving the integrity of sensitive therapeutic products.

SGD Pharma’s treatment uses a spraying process that provides uniform coverage of the vial surface, which it said ensures ensuring a higher performance of the internal silicone thin-layer.

The process is executed with rigorous quality control under an ISO 8 clean room, in an ISO 15378 certified facility.

This new operation at SQLM is suitable for all glass types in vial sizes ranging from 3ml to 500ml in clear and amber glass, at a high processing capacity.

The treatment is ideal for market applications such as anti-infectives, parenteral nutrition, diagnostics, animal health and oncology.