1. Introduction

IL Group will exhibit at CPHI Milan 2026, presenting practical solutions for pharmaceutical labeling and packaging. Highlights will include Vial Protect Pack II, Light Protect Pack, cryogenic labels, and the SMCL Series RC-506 and RC-506E labeling systems.

Visit us at Booth 11F59 to discuss product protection, labeling performance under demanding conditions, and ways to improve labeling and changeover efficiency. Our team will be available to explore your priorities, whether you are developing a new product, reviewing an existing packaging format, or qualifying an additional label supplier.

2. What IL Group will showcase at CPHI Milan 2026

Protective Packaging for Injectable Products

Featuring VPP II

Pharmaceutical manufacturers are increasingly looking for packaging solutions that provide value beyond basic product containment. Vial Protect Pack II (VPP II) combines vial protection, tamper evidence, and handling-focused design to support the differentiation of injectable products.

Designed as a secondary protective system around the primary vial, VPP II combines a plastic cup with a shrink tack label to provide an additional protective layer. This “container for a container” concept is designed to provide additional protection against vial breakage and incorporates tamper-evident functionality. The system is particularly suited to hazardous, fragile, or high-value injectable products.

VPP II has been evaluated through scientific testing to examine its protective performance. Visitors can learn how its design provides an additional protective layer around the primary vial and may help limit direct contact in the event of vial breakage.

By combining vial protection, tamper evidence, and handling-focused design, VPP II offers an additional packaging option for hazardous, fragile, or high-value injectable products.

Light Protection for Injectable Products

Featuring Light Protect Pack

As the pharmaceutical industry continues to focus on protecting sensitive injectable products, packaging design plays a critical role. Discover how Light Protect Pack combines product visibility with light protection, helping manufacturers address stability concerns while maintaining ease of inspection and handling throughout the supply chain.

Functional Labels for Ultra-Low-Temperature Applications

Featuring Cryogenic Labels

Pharmaceutical products stored and handled under ultra-low-temperature conditions require labels designed for demanding environments. At CPHI Milan, IL Group will present cryogenic labeling solutions developed to support adhesion, readability, and identification performance throughout storage and distribution.

More Efficient Labeling and Changever Operations

Featuring SMCL Series RC-506 and RC-506E

For manufacturers seeking greater efficiency in labeling operations, the SMCL Series offers practical solutions to improve productivity and simplify changeovers. Visitors can explore how RC-506 and RC-506E support streamlined workflows, operational consistency, and opportunities to reduce downtime while maintaining high labeling quality.

3. Meet Our Team and Discuss Your Priorities

Make the most of your visit by arranging a focused discussion with our team. We would be pleased to discuss topics such as:

• New pharmaceutical label or packaging development project
• Functional labeling for special storage, handling, or use conditions
• Protection and differentiation for injectable products
• Improvements in labeling and changeover efficiency
• Qualification of an additional label supplier

When requesting a meeting, please share your key priorities so that our team can prepare a discussion relevant to your project.

4. Conclusion

CPHI Milan 2026 provides an opportunity to explore how functional labeling and packaging can address specific product and operational requirements.

Visit IL Group at Booth 11F59 to discover solutions for injectable product protection, light-sensitive and cryogenic applications, and more efficient labeling operations.

Exhibition Overview

Event Name: CPHI Milan 2026

Dates: 6-8 October 2026

Booth: Hall 11, Labeling Pavilion 11F59

Venue: Fiera Milano, Italy

Visit our booth to see your challenges quantified and discover how automation can unlock measurable improvements in your labeling operations.

You might also like

1. Introduction

From October 18 through October 21, 2026, packaging and processing professionals will gather at McCormick Place in Chicago for PACK EXPO International 2026. The event will bring together suppliers and manufacturers across more than 40 vertical markets to explore advances in packaging machinery, materials, processing, and automation.

At this year’s exhibition, IL Group and its U.S. entity, Iwata Label USA, will highlight an integrated approach to pharmaceutical packaging that combines flexible labeling automation with multifunctional packaging solutions.

The exhibit will feature the SMCL RC-506 and RC-506E no-change-parts labeling machines, together with the functional labeling technologies of Vial Protect Pack II and Light Protect Pack. By combining specialized labeling equipment with functional label technologies, IL Group will demonstrate how pharmaceutical manufacturers can improve operational efficiency while creating additional value around product protection, handling, and usability.

2. Reducing Changeover Complexity with the SMCL RC-506 and RC-506E

As pharmaceutical manufacturers and CDMOs manage more product variations, smaller production runs, and frequent container changes, traditional labeling-machine changeovers can create production delays and increase dependence on manual adjustments.

IL Group’s SMCL RC-506 and RC-506E are automatic vial labelers designed to simplify this process through no-part-change operation and automated setup. Product formats can be selected through the machine interface, reducing the need for operators to remove, install, and manually adjust replacement components during routine changeovers.

Key capabilities include:

• No physical change parts required when transitioning between supported vial formats

• Approximately 10-minute changeovers using automated or touch-panel setup

• Stored product settings for consistent and repeatable format changes

• Reduced dependence on manual adjustment, helping limit setup mistakes

• Support for multi-product and smaller-batch manufacturing environments

The SMCL RC-506 supports vial diameters from 24.0 mm to 40.0 mm and offers processing capacity of up to 200 vials per minute. The SMCL RC-506E supports a wider diameter range of 16.0 mm to 50.0 mm, with processing capacity of up to 100 vials per minute.

The SMCL RC-506 is positioned for higher-speed production and CMO/CDMO operations, while the more compact SMCL RC-506E is particularly suited to clinical trial manufacturing, frequent format changes, and flexible production environments requiring a broader range of vial sizes.

3. Differentiation From Standard Packaging

In addition to labeling automation, IL Group will showcase how packaging can become a meaningful product differentiator rather than simply a required production component.

Vial Protect Pack II

Vial Protect Pack II provides a “container for a container” configuration that combines a pharmaceutical vial, a protective plastic cup, and IL Group’s proprietary Shrink Tack Label. The vial is placed inside the plastic protector, and the label secures the components together while wrapping the vial.

This construction is designed to provide:

• Additional protection against vial cracks and breakage

• Containment around the primary vial

• Reduced risk of direct contact with potential residue on the vial surface

• Tamper-evident functionality through the label construction

• Added packaging value for hazardous, fragile, or high-value injectable products

By integrating protective functionality into the labeled vial presentation, Vial Protect Pack II can help pharmaceutical manufacturers differentiate products through safer handling and stronger physical protection rather than competing on the drug product alone.

Light Protect Pack

Light Protect Pack is a multifunctional light-shielding label solution for photosensitive pharmaceutical products. Depending on the selected construction, it can be applied to clear glass vials while blocking light up to 500 nanometers and maintaining visibility of the container contents during processes such as reconstitution and inspection.

Potential benefits include:

• Tamper evident functionality

• Light protection for photosensitive formulations

• Continued use of clear glass containers

• Visibility of the drug product during reconstitution or inspection

• Protection extending from packaging through administration

• An alternative to relying exclusively on amber primary containers

For manufacturers, this creates an opportunity to balance drug protection with usability. Light Protect Pack can also help distinguish a pharmaceutical product through a visible, functional packaging feature that addresses both stability requirements and end-user convenience.

4. Connecting Packaging Materials and Automation

IL Group’s presentation at PACK EXPO International 2026 will emphasize the value of considering labels, packaging functions, and labeling equipment as one connected system.

The SMCL RC-506 and RC-506E address production flexibility by simplifying vial-format changeovers. Vial Protect Pack II and Light Protect Pack add functionality to the finished pharmaceutical package through breakage protection, containment, light shielding, and improved product visibility.

Together, these solutions demonstrate how pharmaceutical manufacturers and CDMOs can:

• Improve flexibility across multi-product operations

• Reduce labeling-line changeover complexity

• Support consistent, repeatable machine setup

• Introduce value-added packaging features

• Differentiate services offered to pharmaceutical customers

• Align packaging protection with operational efficiency

This combination is particularly relevant for manufacturers managing clinical trial products, high-value injectables, hazardous drugs, photosensitive formulations, and diverse customer portfolios.

5. Conclusion

At PACK EXPO International 2026, IL Group will present a practical vision for more flexible and differentiated pharmaceutical packaging.

Through the RC-506 and RC-506E, visitors can explore how no-change-parts labeling equipment can reduce the operational burden associated with frequent product transitions. Through Vial Protect Pack II and Light Protect Pack, attendees can see how multifunctional packaging can add meaningful protection and usability to vial-based pharmaceutical products.

By bringing equipment and functional labeling solutions together, IL Group aims to help pharmaceutical manufacturers and CDMOs improve efficiency, strengthen their packaging capabilities, and create a clearer point of differentiation for customers and end users.

Exhibition Overview

Event:PACK EXPO International 2026

Dates:October 18 to October 21, 2026

Venue:McCormick Place, Chicago, Illinois

Booth:W-17076

Location within the show:West Hall, Healthcare Packaging Pavilion

Visit us at Booth W-17076 and register for PACK EXPO International 2026 free of charge using our complimentary registration code: 69T86.

 

 

You might also like

Sustainability initiatives in pharmaceutical manufacturing have traditionally focused on primary containers, secondary packaging materials and shipping logistics. However, relatively little attention has been paid to the materials consumed and discarded during the packaging process itself. One example is the backing paper of conventional labels, known as a ‘release liner’, which is discarded during the labelling process. Where small containers – such as ampoules, vials and eye-drop containers – are labelled at high speeds, liner paper is continuously generated, much of it being disposed of as industrial or general waste.

This issue highlights a structural disconnect between sustainability goals and the reality of operations on production lines operating under good manufacturing practices (GMP). Because release liners have a low unit weight, they tend to be excluded from mainstream material flow management and environmental reporting frameworks. Consequently, even at manufacturing sites with mature environmental initiatives, the disposal of release liners is frequently overlooked.

The Hidden Challenges of Sustainability

Conventional release liners consist of composite materials such as paper/polyethylene resin laminate/silicone-based release coating or paper/silicone-based release coating. Since these are all composites of paper and resin they are difficult to recycle, thus the vast majority have traditionally been disposed of or incinerated. It is estimated that across the Japanese manufacturing sector, approximately 1.39 billion m² of label backing paper is discarded or incinerated annually, demonstrating that waste which may appear insignificant on individual production lines accumulates to a scale that cannot be ignored.

“release liners have not been clearly positioned as a ‘material subject to management’ nor been incorporated into decarbonisation roadmaps”

This waste stream has persisted for many years for a multitude of reasons, from technical difficulties, through to economic rationality, legal regulations and infrastructure. However, most significantly, release liners have not been clearly positioned as a ‘material subject to management’ nor been incorporated into decarbonisation roadmaps.

Horizontal Recycling with Existing Production Lines

A practical alternative is to replace conventional release paper with specialised backing paper designed with horizontal recycling in mind.¹^,²

These are primarily designed using PET-based film materials. After use, the backing sheets are returned and then processed to remove contaminants and undergo material recycling, serving as raw material for new specialised backing sheets. This enables film-to-film horizontal recycling.²

For manufacturing sites specifically, this approach applies solely to label backing sheets. As the backing is completely separated during label application, there is no need to modify the label’s face stock, adhesive or container. Crucially, it is designed to deliver the same quality as conventional labels using release paper in terms of adhesion, release properties and mechanical performance.

“circular material design is practically viable within pharmaceutical packaging processes”

Case studies in Japan have demonstrated that this solution can be adopted by a wide range of users, including pharmaceutical manufacturers and producers using their existing printers and labellers without modification.

Although the newly manufactured backing paper contains more than 25 percent recycled content, it maintains the same performance as conventional backing paper in terms of functionality. These findings demonstrate that circular material design is practically viable within pharmaceutical packaging processes.

Quantifying Environmental Benefits Through LCA

Quantitative data is essential for prioritising initiatives across multiple manufacturing sites. In Japan, life cycle assessment (LCA) is used to calculate and visualise greenhouse gas reduction effects throughout the label’s lifecycle, covering raw material procurement, manufacturing, transport, use and disposal.

In a model case from the Ministry of the Environment’s demonstration project, a 21.6 percent reduction in CO₂ emissions was confirmed compared to conventional labels.¹^,² A dedicated recycling facility began operations in 2024. In 2025, a reduction of 43.8 tons of waste and 262.3 tons of CO₂ emissions was reported.² These results demonstrate that establishing a collection and recycling system can enhance environmental benefits without increasing process complexity.

Alignment with the EU Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation (PPWR)

Alongside GMP requirements, the EU Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation (PPWR, Regulation (EU) 2025/40) further emphasises the need to systematically address packaging‑related material flows throughout the lifecycle. The regulation entered into force in early 2025 and will generally apply from 12 August 2026, introducing harmonised lifecycle requirements with a focus on recyclability, waste prevention and high‑quality material recovery.

While specific medicinal packaging formats may be subject to targeted exemptions where necessary to maintain product quality and patient safety, packaging components and materials used during manufacturing and packaging operations remain broadly aligned with the regulation’s circular economy objectives. In this context, horizontal recycling of label backing materials represents a practical approach to reducing operational waste streams and improving material circularity, while remaining compatible with established GMP and quality risk management (QRM) frameworks.

Europe: Scheme Finalised and Phased Roll-Out

A significant development is that this horizontal recycling scheme is no longer limited to Japan. Building on the model established in there, a framework covering backing paper design and manufacture, adhesive application, label printing and logistics has now been finalised in Europe, with preparations for the collection and recycling processes currently underway.¹^,⁵ Currently, the scheme is at a stage where material procurement, label printing and supply can be carried out in Europe.

For pharmaceutical manufacturing sites in Europe, the establishment of a self-contained regional framework is crucial in moving away from ad hoc waste disposal and enabling reproducible implementation in line with each site’s change management and QRM processes.

Operational Secondary Benefits Beyond Environmental Impact

In addition to waste reduction, specialised recycling backing paper has been reported to offer operational benefits such as improved print and barcode legibility and a greater number of labels per roll due to the use of thinner backing paper (ie, improved production efficiency).² These benefits are directly linked to productivity metrics in high-speed labelling processes handling small containers.

Turning Invisible Waste Into Materials for Horizontal Recycling

The key point highlighted in this article is that effective circular economy measures do not necessarily require the introduction of new equipment. By shifting to a recyclable design, it is possible to convert the long-overlooked waste stream of release paper into a material suitable for horizontal recycling.

This concept has been commercially demonstrated in Japan and won the Silver Award in the Sustainability category at the World Packaging Organization (WPO) WorldStar Awards in 2025.¹^,⁶ Now that the framework has been established in Europe, the circular use of label backing paper is increasingly being positioned as a manufacturing practice that can be expanded in stages, in line with progress in regulatory requirements and operational readiness.

References

1. NEION Film Coatings Corp. Closed‑Loop Recycling of Label Release Film. Resource Recycling Project documentation. 2026.

2. World Packaging Organization. WorldStar 2025 Case Study: Resource Recycling Project for pharmaceutical packaging (Shionogi Pharma Co., Ltd.). 2025.

3. European Commission. EudraLex Volume 4: EU Guidelines for GMP – Annex 1 Manufacture of Sterile Medicinal Products. Brussels. 2022.

4. International Council for Harmonization. ICH Q9(R1): Quality Risk Management. 2023.

5. Japan Partnership for Circular Economy. Closed recycling system label backing release liner “Resource Recycling Project”.

6. World Packaging Organization. WorldStar Global Packaging Awards 2025 – Sustainability Special Awards.

7. European Commission. Regulation (EU) 2025/40 on packaging and packaging waste (PPWR). Official Journal of the European Union. 2025.

The above text is an article written by Iwata Label Europe President Atsushi Hironaga.
It was featured in the European Pharmaceutical Review. Below is the link to the original article.

European Pharmaceutical Review

 

 

You might also like

Purchase Price Is Only One Part of TCO

When pharmaceutical manufacturers and CDMOs evaluate labeling equipment, discussions often begin with purchase price. However, the largest costs over the life of a machine are rarely the initial investment. Downtime, changeovers, maintenance, labor, and lost production opportunities often have a much greater impact on Total Cost of Ownership (TCO).

The initial purchase price is only one component of Total Cost of Ownership. Operational losses often account for a significant portion of lifetime costs.

In high-mix pharmaceutical packaging environments, these operational costs can quickly exceed the original equipment investment.

The focus needs to shift from the initial cost of the machine to the long-term costs associated with ownership and operation.

The Cost of Traditional Changeovers

Many packaging operations accept changeovers as unavoidable downtime.

However, every hour spent changing formats is an hour unavailable for production, validation activities, or customer projects.

In a high-mix environment, lost capacity can hinder the company’s ability to respond swiftly to customer requests and accommodate new business opportunities.

How The SMCL RC-506E Recovers Productive Capacity

One way to reduce operational losses is to simplify changeovers.

The SMCL RC-506E was developed to support high-mix, low-volume pharmaceutical operations by minimizing setup complexity and reducing downtime between product runs.

In this example, the operation performs 67% more changeovers while reducing downtime by nearly 90%.

The result is approximately 53.75 additional productive hours recovered every week.

 By eliminating part changes during setup, the RC-506E helps operators move efficiently between different vial sizes, making it easier to support a wider range of products while minimizing downtime.

Recovered Capacity Matters More for CDMOs

For many CDMOs, recovered capacity can be more valuable than direct labor savings.

Every hour recovered from changeovers becomes available for:

• Additional customer projects

• Smaller batch production

• Validation activities

• Urgent commercial demand

• New product introductions

This is why capacity recovery often creates greater business value than simple cost reduction.

 In this example, the cumulative value of recovered capacity reaches breakeven in approximately one year and continues to grow throughout the five-year evaluation period.

As Overall Equipment Effectiveness (OEE) improves, a larger percentage of available production time is converted into productive output. By reducing changeover-related downtime, the recovered capacity can be utilized for additional production, customer projects, validation activities, or new product introductions. The more effectively this recovered time is utilized, the faster the initial investment can be recovered.

Over time, the value generated through improved equipment utilization continues to accumulate. Higher OEE accelerates payback by increasing the return generated from existing assets, while the ongoing benefits of recovered capacity continue to reduce total costs and create value well beyond the original payback period.

A Different Way to Evaluate TCO

Traditional equipment evaluations often focus on purchase price.

However, pharmaceutical packaging operations should also consider:

• Downtime

• Changeover efficiency

• Production flexibility

• Recovered capacity

When all relevant factors are considered, TCO becomes a more accurate measure of production and manufacturing capacity.

The true value of a labeling system is not defined solely by its purchase price. The ability to recover productive manufacturing time can play an equally important role in long-term business performance.

Want to see how much capacity your operation could recover?

Our specialists can review your current labeling process, estimate the impact of reducing changeover time, and help identify opportunities to improve productivity, flexibility, and Total Cost of Ownership.

Have questions about automating your labeling process?

Our specialists can help you review your current line,

identify potential inefficiencies, and discuss whether SMCL RC-506E is the right fit for your production environment.

 

 

You might also like

The Growing Challenge for Today’s CDMOs 

CDMOs are under increasing pressure to support a growing number of customer projects while maintaining productivity, quality, and profitability. Customers are requesting smaller batch sizes, faster turnaround times, and a wider range of product variations. Clinical trial materials, orphan drugs, personalized medicines, and specialty therapies all contribute to more frequent product changeovers and greater SKU complexity. 

Many pharmaceutical packaging operations were originally designed for long production runs and limited product variation. Today, the situation is very different. Manufacturing flexibility has become an important factor in winning new business, but frequent changeovers can create downtime, reduce line availability, and limit production capacity. For many CDMOs, the challenge is clear.  

How can they support high-mix, low-volume manufacturing without sacrificing efficiency?

Why Changeovers Become a Bottleneck

As the number of products increases, packaging lines must be adjusted more frequently. Each changeover typically involves machine setup, parameter adjustments, inspection checks, verification activities, and documentation. 

While these activities are necessary, they consume valuable production time. For CDMOs managing multiple customers and multiple SKUs, lengthy changeovers can reduce equipment utilization, limit packaging capacity, and increase operating costs. 

Efficient changeovers help CDMOs increase capacity, take on more projects, and respond faster to customer requirements.

Introducing the SMCL Series RC-506E  

The SMCL (Single Minute Changeover Labeling Machine) RC-506E was developed for high-mix, low-volume manufacturing environments. 

Unlike conventional labeling equipment, the RC-506E enables product changeovers without tool adjustments or mechanical part replacement. Automated setup functions help reduce downtime and support consistent labeling performance. 

This allows operators to spend less time on changeovers and more time on production. 

 

Key Benefits 

• No part changes required during product changeovers 

• Faster SKU changeovers 

• Reduced downtime  

• Improved equipment utilization 

• Lower operator dependency 

• More consistent labeling performance 

These capabilities help manufacturers improve production flow while maintaining quality and compliance requirements. 

SMCL RC-506E at a Glance 

The RC-506E is designed for vial labeling applications that require flexibility, repeatability, and fast product changeovers.

The machine supports a wide range of vial sizes while helping manufacturers minimize downtime associated with product changeovers. 

The Business Impact of Faster Changeovers 

Reducing changeover time is not only an operational improvement. It can directly affect packaging capacity and responsiveness to customer demands. 

In a typical packaging operation, product changeovers may require several hours each time. 

Across multiple packaging lines, this can result in significant production downtime every week.  

By reducing changeovers to as little as 10 to 20 minutes, the SMCL Series helps manufacturers recover productive manufacturing time, accommodate more SKUs, and respond more quickly to customer requests. The result is greater flexibility, improved equipment utilization, and increased production capacity without adding new equipment or labor. 

One Supplier for Labels and Labeling Equipment 

Many equipment suppliers provide only a portion of the labeling solution. 

IL Group offers an integrated approach that combines labels, labeling equipment, software, spare parts, qualification support, and technical service through a single supplier relationship. This allows optimization across the entire labeling process rather than focusing on individual components. 

For CDMOs, this can simplify supplier management, streamline support, and help improve overall equipment effectiveness (OEE), uptime, and changeover performance.  

Preparing for the Future of Pharmaceutical Manufacturing 

As the pharmaceutical industry continues to move toward smaller batch sizes and a greater number of product variants, operational flexibility is becoming a competitive advantage. 

CDMOs that can efficiently handle frequent product changes are better equipped to support emerging therapies, meet evolving customer expectations, and maximize packaging capacity without expanding resources. 

The SMCL Series was designed for this manufacturing environment, helping pharmaceutical companies and CDMOs achieve faster changeovers, higher OEE, and greater production flexibility. 

Download the RC-506E Product Brochure 

Explore detailed specifications, applications, and key features of the RC-506E automatic labeling machine.

Have questions about automating your labeling process?

Our specialists can help you review your current line,

identify potential inefficiencies, and discuss whether SMCL RC-506E is the right fit for your production environment.

 

 

You might also like

When Packaging Becomes a Protection Strategy

Pharmaceutical packaging is often viewed as a way to identify and contain a product.

VPP II is different.

 

 

 

 

 

Developed by IL Group, VPP II combines a protective plastic cup, shrink tack label, and dedicated packaging equipment to create a complete packaging solution that helps pharmaceutical manufacturers enhance protection and differentiate their products in the market.

What manufacturers ask before adopting VPP II.

1. What is VPP II ?

Vial Protect Pack II is a heat-shrink label specially designed for pharmaceutical vials. It fully wraps the vial, unlike conventional labels that cover only part of the surface, providing both mechanical protection and containment to reduce risks such as contamination from hazardous drugs (HDs), including anticancer drugs, and breakage during handling.

2. How is VPP II different from conventional vial packaging?

Unlike conventional sleeve-type packaging, VPP II integrates shrink tack label technology, a PET film with adhesive construction bonded directly to the vial.

The result is protection for the vial itself. Impact testing confirms significantly greater drop durability than unprotected vials.

3. Does VPP II help improve handling safety?

Yes. VPP was developed to support the safe handling of hazardous injectable pharmaceutical drugs, from labeling and transportation to administration and disposal. Its combination of a shrink tack label and protective structure reduces the risk of vial damage and improves handling confidence. This protective effect has been demonstrated through scientific testing and evaluation.

This is particularly important for high value and high-risk pharmaceutical products where product integrity and safety are major concerns.

4. What types of pharmaceutical products is VPP II designed for?

VPP II can be used for a wide range of vial based pharmaceutical products, including:

• Oncology drugs
• High potency compounds
• Toxic agents
• Specialty injectables
• High value pharmaceuticals

Although anticancer drugs are a common application, VPP II can be beneficial for any pharmaceutical product where additional protection is desired.

5. What materials are used in the VPP II protector?

The VPP II protector is available in polypropylene (PP), highly transparent ABS resin, and biomass-based material options.

These materials were selected because they provide an excellent balance of strength, visibility, durability, and cost effectiveness. The transparent design maintains product visibility while helping protect the vial from external impact.

For pharmaceutical companies pursuing sustainability goals, biomass based materials provide an environmentally conscious alternative without compromising product protection.

6. Is VPP II already in commercial use?

Yes. VPP-related equipment and solutions are already established across a substantial portion of Japan’s pharmaceutical manufacturing market.

This widespread adoption demonstrates the technology’s reliability and provides confidence in its performance under real-world production conditions.

7. Can VPP II be used with equipment from other suppliers?

VPP II was developed as an integrated packaging solution for use with IL Group equipment.

While alternative approaches have not been formally tested, the recommended method is to use the designated equipment to ensure packaging quality and performance. The combination of VPP II packaging technology and dedicated IL Group equipment enables a unique packaging solution that is not achievable with conventional labeling systems. For pharmaceutical manufacturers, this provides an opportunity to enhance product protection while differentiating their products through packaging.

8. Does the heat shrinking process affect the pharmaceutical product?

This is a common question when evaluating shrink tack label based packaging solutions.

VPP II has been scientifically evaluated to assess the thermal impact of the labeling process. Testing showed that the temperature increase inside the vial remained minimal during packaging, supporting confidence in the process for pharmaceutical applications.

In addition to protection against vial damage, VPP II is designed to provide a packaging solution that balances performance, safety, and product quality.

9. Why Do Pharmaceutical Companies Choose VPP II？

Many packaging solutions focus primarily on identification and presentation.

VPP II was developed to go beyond labeling by addressing vial protection, handling safety, and packaging reliability. To support these benefits, IL Group has conducted scientific evaluations on drop impact resistance, occupational exposure related risks, and thermal effects during the packaging process.

Explore the data behind VPP II and discover how leading pharmaceutical manufacturers are using packaging as a tool for both protection and differentiation.

Request a Sample

Request a VPP II sample and evaluate the packaging firsthand to understand its protective structure, handling advantages, and suitability for your product.

Contact Us

Want to discuss your specific packaging requirements?

Our team can help you evaluate whether VPP is suitable for your product, manufacturing process, and packaging strategy.

References

Scientific Evidence Supporting VPP

The performance of VPP has been evaluated through both peer reviewed research and technical performance testing.

Peer Reviewed Publication

External Surface Contamination Control

Sessink P, Sano M.
Contamination on the external surface of hazardous drug vials wrapped in Vial Protect Pack shrink tack labels.
J Oncol Pharm Pract. 2026. doi:10.1177/10781552261433917
Read the publication

Technical Performance Evaluations

Drop Impact Durability

Testing demonstrated superior resistance to drop impact compared with unprotected vials.

Heat Exposure During Packaging

Testing confirmed that the VPP packaging process resulted in only minimal temperature increase inside liquid medicine vials.

 

 

You might also like

Access the Scientific Data

Download the full reports to explore the scientific evidence behind VPP and see how it can support a differentiated, higher-value packaging strategy in your product portfolio.

What is Vial Protect Pack

Vial Protect Pack (VPP) is a labeling system specifically designed for pharmaceutical vials. It consists of a glass vial, a plastic protector, and a shrink label. These components are integrated into a single unit, with the assembly fully enclosed and secured by the label. Unlike conventional labels that cover only part of the surface, VPP fully wraps the vial, providing both mechanical protection and containment to reduce risks such as contamination and breakage during handling.

A Differentiated Packaging Strategy Beyond Price Competition

For generic pharmaceutical manufacturers, competing on price alone is no longer sufficient. Increasing regulatory expectations and safety requirements are driving the need for added value in packaging. External contamination, vial breakage, and concerns about product integrity are becoming critical differentiators. Vial Protect Pack enables a shift from cost-driven competition to value-based differentiation through a safer, more advanced packaging solution.

Scientific Studies Validating VPP Performance

To support decision-making with scientific evidence, independent studies have been conducted to evaluate the performance of VPP under real-world conditions.

Below, we introduce 3 of those independent studies.

Eliminating External Contamination Risk

The first dataset focuses on external contamination. A paper published in JOPP (the Journal of Oncology Pharmacy Practice) evaluated surface contamination on the exterior of 150 commercially available anticancer drug vials across three product types that were packaged with VPP. No contamination was detected on any of the vials tested, providing evidence that VPP effectively removes measurable surface contamination and may contribute to reducing the risk of occupational exposure.

Read the full paper for detailed results in the Journal of Oncology Pharmacy Practice:

 

Superior Protection Against Vial Breakage

The second dataset examines drop durability. In comparative testing, unprotected glass vials showed breakage under repeated drop conditions. In contrast, VPP II demonstrated no breakage even after 10 consecutive drops from height. This indicates that VPP can significantly improve mechanical resistance, reducing product loss and preventing leakage or scattering in case of accidental drops.

 

Minimal Impact on Drug Temperature and Quality

The third dataset evaluates thermal impact during the labeling process. Because VPP uses heat-shrink technology, potential effects on drug products must be carefully assessed. The study confirmed that the temperature increase during VPP application is minimal, approximately 0.6 to 2.1 degrees Celsius. This shows that the packaging process has negligible impact on liquid formulations, including temperature-sensitive materials.

 

Why Differentiated Packaging Matters

The three scientific studies provide clear, data-backed evidence that supports VPP as a differentiated packaging solution. By addressing contamination control, mechanical protection, and product integrity in a single system, VPP offers a unique position beyond standard labeling approaches. This enables manufacturers to strengthen their value proposition and stand out in increasingly competitive markets.

Access the Scientific Data

Download the full reports to explore the scientific evidence behind VPP and see how it can support a differentiated, higher-value packaging strategy in your product portfolio.

Need a More Detailed Discussion?

If you would like to evaluate VPP for your specific products or process, our team is ready to support you.

Contact us to discuss your requirements and explore how VPP can enhance your packaging and differentiation strategy.

 

 

You might also like

New no-part-change labeling system delivers faster changeovers, higher OEE, and improved operational efficiency for pharmaceutical manufacturers and CDMO environments.

IL Group, a specialist in multifunctional labeling solutions for the pharmaceuticals and healthcare sectors, has announced the launch of the SMCL Series RC-506E Single Minute Changeover Labeler, a next-generation pharmaceutical labeling solution designed to reduce changeover complexity, minimize downtime, and improve production efficiency through automated setup and no-part-change operation.

The newly released RC-506E is smaller and more versatile than the company’s RC-506, accommodating a broader range of container sizes and enabling frequent format changes and smaller-batch production. Designed for pharmaceutical manufacturers, clinical trial production, and CMO/CDMO operations, the RC-506E eliminates the need for replacement parts during product changeovers, which is one of the industry’s most time-consuming challenges. This makes it especially well-suited for investigational drug production and smaller-scale, flexible manufacturing environments.

Through an intuitive interface and automated setup, operators can complete format transitions in as little as 10 minutes while maintaining consistent labeling accuracy and performance. Engineered to maximize Overall Equipment Efficiency (OEE), the system reduces downtime, increases uptime, and supports high-quality output across pharmaceutical packaging operations.

“The RC-506E represents IL Group’s continued focus on solving real production bottlenecks within pharmaceutical manufacturing,” said Emilia Vitor, Group Marketing Manager at IL Group. “By removing replacement parts from the changeover process and automating critical setup functions, manufacturers can improve operational flexibility while reducing human error and increasing throughput.”

The RC-506E automates key labeling processes to deliver consistent, repeatable performance while minimizing manual intervention. By simplifying setup, the system helps operators avoid common changeover errors and supports reliable production in highly regulated environments.

Designed for vial applications, the labeler offers a processing capacity of up to 100 units per minute and supports container diameters ranging from 16.0 mm to 50.0 mm. Its compact footprint – 10’(L) × 8’(W) × 6’2” (H) – allows for efficient integration into existing pharmaceutical packaging lines.

For more information visit: https://www.group-il.com/en/resources/labeling-machines/smcl/  

About IL Group

Based in Aichi, Japan IL Group is a total pharmaceutical packaging solution provider. The company provides precision, often customized labeling solutions for global pharmaceutical and healthcare companies. In addition to its advanced pharmaceutical labeling solutions, IL Group provides clinical trial services, contract packaging services, and a series of high-efficiency labeling machines. Its extensive portfolio includes ISO-compliant roll-on and shrink-tack labels featuring value-added benefits such as tamper evidence, protection against breakage, and light-shielding properties, as well as specialty constructions whose functions range from reliable adhesion in cryogenic applications to detachable elements for ease of medical recordkeeping.

IL Group’s US entity, Iwata Label USA, combines elevated Japanese quality standards with a keen sense of North American market needs. In Japan, IL Group holds the predominant share of Japan’s pharmaceutical labeling market. Through its three-pole network in the US, Europe, and Japan, as well as various global partnerships, IL Group is poised for further growth and innovation. For more information, visit http://www.group-il.com/en.

The above text is a press release by IL Group. It was featured in multiple pharma news sites. Below are links to those articles.

Material Handling Wholesaler

Label and Narrow Web

Sustainable Packaging News

Healthcare Packaging

Packaging Connections

WhatTheyThink.com

Converter Magazine

Contract Pharma

Introduction

The BIO International Convention is one of the world’s largest gatherings for the biotechnology community, bringing together pharmaceutical companies, emerging biotech, investors, and research organizations. 

From June 22–25, 2026, the event returns to San Diego, creating a space where scientific progress meets business development and global partnership. 

This year, IL Group will continue strengthening its engagement with the pharmaceutical sector. At BIO 2026, the company will focus on how advanced packaging and labeling technologies can support safer, more efficient, and scalable drug delivery.

 What IL Group will Showcase at BIO 2026

IL Group will highlight its multi‑functional labeling solutions, designed to address several key challenges in today’s pharmaceutical landscape: 

• Product protection against physical damage and light exposure 

• Occupational safety through VPP (Vial Protective Packaging), reducing exposure to hazardous drugs 

• Ultra‑low temperature labeling for biologics, ensuring stability throughout cold‑chain storage and distribution 

These technologies are positioned as essential tools that help maintain drug quality and support safe, reliable distribution across global markets. 

Integration with Automation and Manufacturing Solutions

In addition to labeling materials, IL Group will introduce its SMCL Series of automatic labeling machines, designed for highly flexible operations.   

They are particularly well‑suited for: 

• CDMOs 

• 503B outsourcing facilities 

• Biotech companies managing diverse product pipelines 

Key capabilities include efficient multi-product, small-lot operations, automatic changeovers that reduce downtime and operator workload, and seamless compatibility between labeling materials and equipment. 

Through these offerings, IL Group aims to explore new collaborations with CDMOs and pharmaceutical manufacturers while demonstrating scalable approaches that align with evolving production models. 

Reference: https://www.group-il.com/en/resources/labeling-machines/smcl/ 

From Practical Applications to Scientific Validation

At the exhibition, IL Group will present both hands‑on examples and the science behind its technologies: 

• Practical applications → Case studies from U.S. customers showing how IL Group’s solutions are already being used in real manufacturing environments 

• Scientific and technical validation → Research findings, including published studies on VPP, that explain the material behavior and performance 

By combining real‑world results with technical evidence, visitors can gain a clear understanding of both how the solutions work and why they work.

Conclusion

At BIO International Convention 2026, IL Group looks to engage with the global biotechnology and pharmaceutical community while demonstrating how advanced labeling and packaging technologies can support the future of drug manufacturing. By combining protective labeling materials, ultra-low temperature solutions, and flexible automation systems, IL Group aims to address the growing demands for safety, efficiency, and scalability across the pharmaceutical industry. Through both practical customer applications and scientific validation, visitors can find solutions that help them adapt to increasingly complex production environments.

Exhibition Overview 

Event Name: BIO International Convention 2026 
Dates: June 22 (Mon) – June 25 (Thu), 2026 
Booth: 5456
Venue: San Diego Convention Center, USA 
Official Website: BIO International Convention 

We look forward to meeting many visitors in San Diego. Please feel free to stop by our booth. 

 

 

You might also like

In pharmaceutical manufacturing, labeling is a critical process that directly affects productivity, quality, and compliance.

Many production lines continue to rely on manual or semi-manual labeling, even as product variations increase, and operational complexity grows. Often, they are unaware of how much waste and risk is embedded in the process.

The SMCL RC-506E is an automatic labeler developed to address these challenges.
In this video, we walk through the typical issues faced on labeling lines and show how RC-506E helps create a more stable, efficient, and visible operation.

Common Challenges in Pharmaceutical Labeling Lines

The video begins by visualizing problems that are familiar to many production managers:

• Frequent changeovers that reduce effective operating time
• An increasing number of labels and packaging specifications, making management more complex
• Dependence on operator skill, resulting in variability
• Human errors, such as mislabeling or setup mistakes
• Workplace safety risks caused by manual adjustments

These issues often accumulate quietly, making it difficult to understand where losses are occurring.

How SMCL RC-506E Addresses These Issues

The SMCL RC-506E is a fully automatic labeling machine designed to support both efficiency and operational stability.

1. Stable Automatic Labeling

The system automates key labeling processes, reducing reliance on individual operator skills, and ensuring consistent performance, even as the number of product variants increases.

2. Changeover Efficiency

By supporting flexible label and container changes, RC-506E minimizes downtime associated with frequent changeovers, which is increasingly important in modern pharmaceutical production.

3. Error Prevention Through Automation

Automation helps reduce labeling errors caused by manual handling or judgment, contributing to higher quality and compliance.

4. User-Friendly Operation Interface

The machine is designed with an intuitive interface that supports setup and operation, helping standardize work across shifts and operators.

From “Unseen Waste” to Measurable Improvement

One of the video’s key messages is that many labeling line inefficiencies remain invisible.

Time losses, minor stops, rework, and overreliance on experience are often accepted as unavoidable simply because they are not quantified.

SMCL RC-506E is positioned not just as a machine, but as a tool to help manufacturers rethink how labeling efficiency is evaluated and improved.

 

Learn More About RC-506E

Find detailed information about RC-506E, its applications, and related labeling solutions on our website.

 

Have questions about automating your labeling process?

Our specialists can help you review your current line,

identify potential inefficiencies, and discuss whether SMCL RC-506E is the right fit for your production environment.

 

 

You might also like