Etimex Primary Packaging invests in the future of the Dietenheim site

Groundbreaking in Dietenheim – in the picture, from left to right: Christoph Eh (Mayor of Dietenheim), Martin Rank (Head of Marketing & Sales), Manuel Strauch (Plant Manager), and Rainer Gebken (Managing Director)

The ETIMEX Primary Packaging GmbH based in Dietenheim continues to expand its production capacities and invests strategically in the future of the site. The current investment focuses on increasing capacity for the strategic product lines PURELAY® and VISTAFORM®. Additionally, a new cleanroom area of class 7 is being created. The completion of the project is planned for the first quarter of 2027.

With this investment, the company responds to the increasing demand for innovative and sustainable packaging solutions for the pharmaceutical industry and simultaneously emphasizes its long-term commitment to the Dietenheim location.

The pharmaceutical industry is currently undergoing a fundamental transformation. Increasingly, sustainable materials, recyclability, and resource-efficient packaging solutions are coming into focus. Traditional blister packs based on PVC/aluminum are increasingly criticized because they are not recyclable. Modern monomaterial solutions offer a future-proof alternative, as they enable significantly better recyclability while meeting the highest requirements for product protection and process security.

Cleanroom production according to ISO 15378 and GMP

As part of the expansion, ETIMEX is also building new cleanroom capacities designed according to the international standard ISO 15378. This standard combines the requirements of "Good Manufacturing Practice" (GMP) with a certified quality management system for primary packaging materials of pharmaceuticals.

For manufacturers of pharmaceutical packaging, this means particularly strict requirements for the production environment, process control, traceability, and quality assurance. The goal is to minimize the risk of contamination and ensure consistently high product quality.

The new cleanroom area enables ETIMEX to produce sensitive pharmaceutical applications under controlled conditions and to optimally meet the increasing regulatory requirements of the industry. At the same time, the company creates additional capacities for future growth in strategic product segments.

PURELAY® – The original PP monoblock blister since 1989

PURELAY® is considered the original among polypropylene monoblock blister solutions. The innovative and award-winning packaging technology is based on a fully polypropylene composite material, enabling a true monomaterial solution for pharmaceutical blister packs.

By using PURELAY®, pharmaceutical companies can significantly reduce material usage, improve the recyclability of their packaging, and thus also their carbon footprint. The material meets the highest requirements for barrier properties, stability, and processability in existing packaging lines. Additionally, PURELAY® offers excellent transparency and high mechanical durability – important properties for the safe protection of sensitive pharmaceutical products.

"PURELAY® has been the original PP monoblock blister solution since its introduction by ETIMEX Primary Packaging (then BP Chemicals) in 1990. In our nearly 40 years of experience, ETIMEX has developed the former pioneering achievement into a widely proven and mature product. With our current investment, we are specifically strengthening the capacities for this forward-looking product and actively supporting our customers in the transition to more sustainable packaging solutions,"

VISTAFORM® – PP thermoforming films for modern food packaging

In addition to PURELAY®, ETIMEX is also investing in expanding capacities for the VISTAFORM® product line. These are high-quality polypropylene thermoforming films for the food industry.

The VISTAFORM® films are available both with and without an integrated oxygen barrier. In barrier variants, ethylene-vinyl alcohol (EVOH) is used, which provides an effective oxygen barrier and thus helps extend the shelf life of sensitive foods.

The thermoforming films are suitable for a variety of applications, including packaging for sausage and dairy products, convenience foods, snacks, as well as vegetarian and vegan products. Due to their excellent thermoformability, they enable stable and precise processing on modern packaging lines.

Strategic investment in the Dietenheim site

The investment in expanding production capacities is also a clear commitment to the Dietenheim location. ETIMEX is thereby further strengthening its role as an important industrial employer and innovation hub in the region.

"The expansion of production capacities clearly shows that ETIMEX is investing long-term in the Dietenheim site and shaping the future here. The company is an important employer and innovation driver for our region. We expressly welcome this investment,"

Our investment is a clear signal of the future viability of our location. Dietenheim is the heart of our production and a central component of our innovation strategy. With the expansion of our capacities and the new cleanroom structures, we create the conditions to continue growing as a reliable partner for the pharmaceutical and food industries in the future,"