Barrier Films for Pharmaceutical Contact Surfaces
Protect sensitive drug formulations with high-purity PTFE and ETFE films engineered for pharmaceutical closure and delivery systems. Our solutions help reduce extractables, prevent contamination and support long-term stability in critical pharmaceutical applications.
In modern pharmaceutical packaging, the interface between drug and closure material is a critical control point. Even minimal interaction can impact safety, stability and performance — making high-purity barrier solutions essential for reliable drug delivery systems.
Pharmaceutical Challenges at Critical Interfaces
When pharmaceutical media comes into contact with elastomeric or polymer components, even minimal interaction can impact:
- Drug stability and shelf life
- Purity and contamination levels
- Performance of the closure system
Our barrier films create a chemically inert, ultra-clean interface, preventing unwanted interaction between formulation and materials.
Engineered Barrier Solutions for Drug Safety
Saint-Gobain® Tape Solutions develops advanced fluoropolymer films specifically designed for pharmaceutical contact applications.
These solutions combine high chemical inertness, purity and processability to protect sensitive formulations while supporting reliable manufacturing and performance across the full product lifecycle.
In pharmaceutical packaging, even the smallest material interaction can impact drug stability. Our focus is to eliminate that risk through engineered barrier solutions that ensure purity and long-term performance.”
M. Junglas, Global Market Manager Specialty Films, Saint-Gobain Tape Solutions
Applications at the pharmaceutical interface
Cap Liners
In pharmaceutical packaging, cap liners are a critical barrier between closure system and media, directly impacting product stability and safety. One of the most important challenges besides chemical resistance and purity, is thermoformability of protective films. This is where most low-end materials fail.
Our PTFE films provide excellent thermoformability and create a chemically inert interface that ensures reliable sealing and prevents interaction with sensitive formulations.
- Prevents interaction and contamination
- Ensures sealing integrity
- Supports long-term product stability
Septa
Septa play a key role in maintaining drug purity during vial storage and repeated access.
PTFE-laminated solutions provide an ultraclean, impermeable barrier that protects formulations from contamination and chemical interaction.
- Prevents contamination during use
- Maintains cleanliness and barrier performance
- Supports reliable vial access performance
Vial Stoppers & Syringe Plungers
For injectable systems, the interface between rubber components and drug formulations is especially critical.
ETFE barrier films reduce interaction risks while ensuring functional performance such as smooth plunger movement and consistent dosing.
- Reduces extractables and particulates by eliminating direct media contact with rubber components
- Enables smooth and controlled plunger movement
- Supports biologics, vaccines and prefilled systems
Additional applications
While the primary focus is on drug-contact interfaces, fluoropolymer films are also used in supporting laboratory and biotech environments.
Fluoropolymer Sample & Bioprocess Bags
Films for handling sensitive or cryogenic samples in biotech and laboratory processes.
- Suitable for cryogenic storage
- Supports handling of sensitive media
Lab Surface Protection
Chemical-resistant films used to protect lab surfaces and equipment.
- Resistant to aggressive chemicals
- Supports clean and durable lab environments
Key benefits
Barrier performance is only valuable when it translates into measurable improvements for pharmaceutical safety and process reliability.
Our films are designed to address the most critical challenges at the interface between drug and closure material.
- Protect drug stability and purity
- Minimize extractables, leachables and contamination
- Withstand sterilization and aggressive media
- Enable efficient processing (thermoforming, lamination)
- Ensure global supply consistency and regulatory alignment
Why Saint-Gobain Tape Solutions
Choosing the right barrier material is not only a question of material performance, but of long-term reliability, process integration and regulatory confidence.
Saint-Gobain combines material expertise with application know-how to deliver solutions tailored to pharmaceutical requirements.
- High-purity PTFE and ETFE fluoropolymers
- Excellent chemical resistance and inertness
- Precision manufacturing with tight tolerances
- Customization for application and process requirements
- Global quality systems and regulatory support
- Conformability with all common pharma regulations
Solutions for Improved Performance in Pharmaceutical Applications
Your Partner in Pharmaceutical Film Solutions
Saint-Gobain delivers high-performance fluoropolymer and PFAS-free* materials engineered to meet the most stringent pharmaceutical standards. Our team collaborates closely with customers to develop optimized solutions that deliver safety, cleanliness and consistency. We support global OEMs with:
- Co-development of custom PTFE, ETFE, multilayer laminates and PFAS-free* alternatives
- Regulatory aligned material selection
- Robust quality systems and pharmaceutical-grade documentation
- Consistent global supply capability
Our custom film and tape solutions help manufacturers improve performance, reduce contamination risks and enhance final product reliability.