Schott Pharma, Takeda and Corplex move recycled-PP vial trays into routine use
Schott Pharma has delivered the first full batch of vials packed in trays made with recycled polypropylene to Takeda's manufacturing site in Singen, Germany, taking a closed-loop system developed with tray maker Corplex from pilot phase into routine operation. The trays contain up to 70% recycled polypropylene drawn from a controlled loop, and a peer-reviewed independent life-cycle assessment puts their greenhouse gas emissions up to 50% below equivalent all-virgin trays. Formal change controls and trials at Takeda confirmed the trays are processable in pharmaceutical manufacturing.
Why this mattersA qualified closed-loop recycled-content system for single-use pharma intermediate packaging gives drugmakers and tray suppliers a template ahead of tighter EU rules.
- The first full batch of vials in recycled-PP trays reached Takeda's Singen site in Germany in August 2026, following a pilot phase
- The trays contain up to 70% recycled polypropylene sourced from a controlled closed loop
- A peer-reviewed independent life-cycle assessment by The LCA Centre in October 2024 found up to 50% lower greenhouse gas emissions than equivalent trays made entirely from virgin polypropylene
- Development ran over two years and included a risk assessment, a ton-scale production study and equivalency testing against virgin-material trays
- Corplex returns the closed-loop material into new tray production and Schott Pharma uses the trays as intermediate packaging for vial shipments to Takeda
- The system targets Scope 3, Category 1 emissions across the three companies' value chain