Here’s Why the Quality of Your Pharmaceutical Processing Trays Matters

Posted on March 1, 2022

A healthy bottom line is essential in any business. For companies in the pharmaceutical and biotech industries, this principle remains the same. However, it’s vital to know those costs which can be cut and those that are indispensable in order to ensure long-term profitability.

For instance, in the clinical market, low-quality equipment should be a no-fly zone. Yet, with a quantity-over-quality mentality, some decision-makers are considering lower-quality pharmaceutical trays. To help convey the risks of opting for subpar pharmaceutical trays, MFGTray, a leading manufacturer of reinforced composite trays, outlines why quality matters.

The Current Landscape of the Handling Product Market

High-quality trays have always been mission-critical. However, the COVID-19 pandemic solidified their importance as the virus amplified demand during a whirlwind of a rollout. Compounded by supply chain challenges, those in pharmaceutical processing needed—and continue to need—strong, dependable handling products that will last. When it comes to pharmaceutical trays, there are four core varieties:

1. Gel Cap Drying Trays
2. Deep Storage Trays
3. Vial Trays
4. Sterilization Trays

In today’s clinical market, there are a vast number of manufacturers that make handling trays. Unfortunately, not all of these options are of equal quality.

Why Quality Is Imperative

Standard plastic trays have an array of vulnerabilities. Improper handling can lead to bends and dents, continuous stress can cause creep rupture, and humidity can accelerate warping and bending.

Take gel cap drying trays, for example. Medications that come in soft gels and capsules go through a complex process of drying and curing. After pharmaceutical processors tumble dry these medications to remove moisture, they lay them on a tray to complete the drying process.

Matters such as residual moisture and weight creep from soft gels and capsules can cause cracking, bending, and warping in standard plastic trays. Over time, tray damage can significantly impact your production potential and lower the quality of your drug products.

Investing in strong, stable, bend, and dent-resistant handling products can minimize delays, improve quality, and bolster your bottom line. While the upfront expenditure is more significant for high-quality trays, the actual cost of subpar options will emerge over time.

A Close Look at the Costs of Cheap Pharmaceutical Trays

Benjamin Franklin’s adage “a penny saved is a penny earned” doesn’t apply to the pharmaceutical and biotech industries. In the clinical market, “buy cheap buy twice” rings far more true. But, it’s not just the cost of repurchasing trays that’s pricey; it’s the opportunity costs associated with reduced production, poor quality, and interruptions. More specifically, low-end handling products results in:

1. Increased long-term costs: When it comes to investing in handling products, this is not a place to cut corners. While low-quality alternatives may meet initial demand, they’ll often fail in the long run. Be sure to track your equipment replacement costs over time. By doing so, you’ll realize the significant savings associated with investing in higher quality handling products.
2. Lower product quality: Your trays can have a direct impact on the quality of your products. For instance, with soft gels and capsules, cheap handling equipment can cause sticking, scuffing, and inconsistencies.
3. Production interruptions: Downtime isn’t an option for profitable pharmaceutical and biotech companies. Tray defects can slow down and even halt production. Furthermore, equipment issues can result in lower product yield and lost revenue.

Affordable and Reliable

Thankfully, there are cost-effective options available for pharmaceutical processing. At MFGTray, we recommend composite materials. By contending with fewer quality-control issues and increasing the longevity of handling products, manufacturers achieve a more streamlined production process.

Composite material is also more economical than both metal and plastic trays. Plus, composite material maintains its structural integrity, even under the rigorous demands of pharmaceutical manufacturing. Compared to standard trays, composite materials are:

Unlike metal and plastic trays, you can use composite material trays through the entire process flow, from drying and curing to storage and handling. Plus, you can easily integrate them into your other processing equipment.

Better Equipment. Better Business.

For businesses in the pharmaceutical and biotech industries, affordable and effective handling equipment is vital. For this reason, we recommend looking for fiber-reinforced plastic (FRP or fiberglass) trays over cheap plastic or stainless steel. They produce a smooth composite surface that eliminates sticking and marking.

Composite construction from MFGTray also allows you to stack trays without warping or distorting under heavy loads. Additionally, FRP composite can withstand high operating temperatures and are corrosion resistant.

The Bottom Line: Quality is Key

Pharmaceutical and biotech companies must invest in trays that meet and exceed the clinical marketplace’s demanding use and storage requirements. When you invest in better handling equipment, the upfront cost is almost always higher. However, manufacturers will see affordability over time through reduced replacement costs and smoother production processes.

If you’re interested in learning more about MFGTray’s pharmaceutical handling product options, please visit our site and reach out to us today. All of our drying trays and vial trays conform to Food and Drug Administration (FDA) Regulation Title 21 CFR 177.2420. MFGTray is also here to develop individualized solutions for any specific material-handling challenges your company faces.