Mid-Range Barrier Polypropylene Blister Films kpNext® RB5 & RB5.1
The kpNext® RB5 platform represents the next generation of high-barrier polypropylene (PP) blister films for pharmaceutical packaging. Engineered to deliver reliable moisture protection while supporting compatibility with the #5 recycling stream, kpNext® RB5 — and now RB5.1 — provide two barrier levels to match formulation sensitivity and shelf-life requirements. Designed for consistent thermoforming performance and processing efficiency, the RB5 platform enables pharmaceutical manufacturers to achieve high protection standards without compromising sustainability goals.
Protection Without Compromise
The kpNext® RB5 platform is built to simplify decision-making for pharmaceutical manufacturers. With consistent moisture protection across both RB5 and RB5.1, teams can rely on proven stability performance, while RB5.1 offers enhanced oxygen barrier for formulations requiring additional oxidative protection. Designed for compatibility with the #5 recycling stream and engineered as a true drop-in polypropylene solution, the RB5 platform helps manufacturers strengthen sustainability positioning without introducing operational complexity or validation risk.
Moisture Barrier Protection
Both kpNext® RB5 and RB5.1 deliver reliable mid-range moisture protection with MVTR performance of 0.300 g/m²/day (38°C / 90% RH), supporting shelf-life stability for a wide range of pharmaceutical formulations.
Enhanced Oxygen Barrier
In addition to moisture protection, kpNext® RB5.1 provides significantly improved oxygen protection, reducing OTR from 10.0 to 0.250 cm³/m²/day (23°C / 50% RH). Ideal for formulations sensitive to oxidative degradation.
Designed for Recycling in RIC 5
Polypropylene-based structure engineered for compatibility with the #5 recycling stream, supporting evolving sustainability and regulatory expectations.
Plug & Play Performance
Engineered as a drop-in polypropylene solution, the kpNext® RB5 platform integrates seamlessly into existing blister packaging lines — minimizing process adjustments, validation time, and operational risk.
Selecting the appropriate blister film depends on formulation sensitivity, storage conditions, and regulatory requirements. While RB5 and RB5.1 share the same moisture barrier performance, oxygen exposure and product stability targets may influence the optimal choice. Through i.center services, application engineers evaluate barrier needs, processing parameters, and package design considerations to recommend the right solution — helping reduce risk, streamline validation, and ensure long-term performance confidence.
Choosing the Right Barrier Level
| Feature | kpNext® RB5 | kpNext® RB5.1 |
|---|---|---|
| Material Base | Polypropylene (PP) | Polypropylene (PP) |
| Moisture Barrier (MVTR) | 0.300 g/m²/day (38°C / 90% RH) | 0.300 g/m²/day (38°C / 90% RH) |
| Oxygen Barrier (OTR) | 10.0 cm³/m²/day (23°C / 50% RH) | 0.250 cm³/m²/day (23°C / 50% RH) |
| Recycling Stream | Designed for RIC 5 | Designed for RIC 5 |
| Processing | Drop-in PP solution | Drop-in PP solution |
| Best For | Standard moisture-sensitive formulations | Formulations sensitive to oxidation and moisture |
For applications requiring enhanced oxygen protection without altering moisture performance or processing conditions, RB5.1 provides the added barrier advantage.
Engineered Barrier Structure
The kpNext® RB5 platform is designed to integrate seamlessly into existing blister packaging operations, allowing manufacturers to utilize standard tooling without sacrificing line speed or processing efficiency. Beyond performance, RB5 delivers excellent optical clarity and appearance compared to conventional PP/COC/PP structures on the market.
Building on this foundation, kpNext® RB5.1 incorporates a functional EVOH barrier layer within its polypropylene-based architecture. This enhancement significantly improves oxygen barrier performance while also strengthening sealability to polyolefin (PO) lidding films. When paired with complementary PP lidding, RB5.1 enables sealing at temperatures approximately 10–15°C lower than conventional structures and offers a broader processing window — supporting potential energy savings and greater operational flexibility. Together, these benefits enable a fully polymeric blister solution designed for recyclability in the #5 stream. Both RB5 and RB5.1 are engineered PFAS free, aligning with evolving regulatory expectations.
Request RB5 or RB5.1 Samples
Evaluate barrier performance, sealability, and processing behavior in your own packaging environment. Sample material is available to support testing and validation.
Customized Expert Assistance is Available
Matching the exact right film for your particular application can be a daunting task. Perhaps you have questions about:
- Barrier properties
- Chemical migration
- Forming solutions
- Stability questions
- Regulatory concerns
kp provides a unique service from our world renowned i.center where we can quickly guide you through to a workable solution. Help is only a click away!
