From challenge to solution: D.O.G. LABEL and UPM collaborate on pharmaceutical labeling

In pharmaceutical packaging, finding the right label solution is rarely a straightforward choice. Every application brings its own technical and regulatory requirements, often combined with a tight launch timeline. D.O.G. LABEL needed a reliable booklet label for an oncology medicine in a small-diameter HDPE bottle. Meeting that need took technical expertise and close collaboration.

The project illustrates well what pharmaceutical labeling really involves. Choosing a material from a catalogue is only the start; careful testing and validation carry it through qualification. In UPM, D.O.G. LABEL found a partner that brings all of these elements together. In this project, the result was a label that met all requirements and a launch that stayed on schedule.

Over 30 years of pharmaceutical packaging experience

Building on over 30 years of pharmaceutical packaging experience within the D.O.G. Group, D.O.G. LABEL combines extensive industry expertise with advanced printing and converting technologies to develop reliable labeling solutions for demanding pharmaceutical applications. This strong foundation of technical know-how and industry knowledge supports the company's continued growth in the pharmaceutical packaging sector.

Choosing a label material for pharmaceutical packaging is a structured process. Customers assess quality management systems, certifications, technical capabilities and regulatory compliance before moving forward with tenders, test batches and validation.

"Pharmaceutical business is built on trust and long-term partnerships. Customers need confidence that both the packaging supplier and the materials will perform reliably throughout the product lifecycle," says Anna-Carin Speneder-Magnet, Head of Business Development at D.O.G. LABEL.

Pharmaceutical label materials must perform in demanding conditions

In pharmaceutical labeling, every application brings different requirements. Pharmaceutical labels can encounter conditions ranging from sterilization and gamma radiation to demanding container surfaces and highly regulated environments. A material that works for one application may not be appropriate for another. The wide set of requirements as well as the wide range of specialized label materials can make pharmaceutical labeling complex.

The recent booklet label project for an oncology medicine illustrated the challenges in practice. A customer of D.O.G. LABEL needed a booklet solution that combined a base material and overlaminate with a low-migration adhesive suitable for pharmaceutical applications. At the same time, the label had to remain thin and flexible enough to conform reliably to a small-diameter HDPE bottle without lifting or compromising performance. Adding to the complexity, the solution needed to be developed and delivered within just six weeks from the initial request to support the customer's planned market launch.

Finding the right material through testing and collaboration

The process of choosing a label material is usually a multistage process. For D.O.G. LABEL the collaboration with UPM starts right in the beginning of the process when a customer inquiry is received. From that moment onwards the companies collaborate closely together to evaluate application requirements and identify suitable material options.

Using material samples and UPM’s label material selection guides, the teams evaluate the application requirements and identify suitable material options together. D.O.G. LABEL then tests the material samples provided by UPM on its own printing and converting equipment, including die-cutting trials, and if the materials perform as required, the solution moves forward into customer validation.

"We like working with suppliers who really know their business. With UPM, we have a strong partner with extensive experience in pharmaceutical label materials," says Speneder-Magnet.

From technical challenge to successful market launch

With the booklet label project, the process of choosing the label material followed the same structure. A key requirement for the customer was a material with a low-migration adhesive suitable for pharmaceutical applications. After discussing with UPM’s pharmaceutical label materials experts and reviewing label material samples, D.O.G. LABEL and UPM selected the label material for the booklet. The material’s thin and flexible facestock combined with a low migration adhesive made it suitable for the small-diameter HDPE bottle and demanding pharmaceutical application requirements. It’s available as part of the UPM PharmaSure™ adhesives in the UPM Raflatac™ line of premium materials.

With the help from UPM’s experts, practical guidance and timely material deliveries, the project progressed according to schedule. The selected material combination enabled D.O.G. LABEL to meet the customer's launch timeline while successfully fulfilling the application's technical requirements. They particularly appreciated the dedication, flexibility and solution-oriented approach that helped ensure timely completion without compromising on quality.

For D.O.G. LABEL, the project delivered value beyond a single successful application. It established a proven material combination that can support future pharmaceutical launches and helped strengthen the company's position in a growing market segment. Speneder-Magnet notes that projects such as this have contributed to winning new business opportunities as well.

Supporting pharmaceutical packaging with purpose-built solutions

As pharmaceutical packaging is a growing business for D.O.G. LABEL, they see strong value in working with partners who understand the industry's unique requirements. The booklet project demonstrates how close collaboration, technical expertise and reliable materials can help pharmaceutical companies navigate complex requirements and bring products to market with confidence.

UPM has developed the UPM PharmaSure adhesive portfolio specifically for pharmaceutical customers to help them further navigate the complexity of the segment. The portfolio is built to deliver reliable performance in demanding conditions, from small-diameter vials to sterilization processes. It also offers dedicated change management, application-performance data and documentation support to help customers operate effectively on a highly regulated and demanding field.

"Having a partner that is always there to support us, and a portfolio of materials that we can trust, is incredibly valuable, especially in the highly demanding pharmaceutical industry. With UPM, we feel confident that we can respond to our customers’ needs," concludes Speneder-Magnet.

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