Leading European thermoformer TEQ – which has delivered a range of medical packaging solutions to meet customer demand during the pandemic – is now manufacturing high quality COVID-19 testing kits.

TEQ has every confidence that its IVD (In Vitro Diagnostic) test kit trays will be in great demand because they offer a high degree of functionality coupled with a speedy route to market.

The global company’s stance is that as the market becomes flooded with kits of varying quality there is now a critical need to differentiate and focus on the manufacture of high calibre, bespoke kits.

TEQ, which has a proven track record in providing superior functional packaging to major medical and pharmaceutical companies, says its thermoformed trays offer ‘superior presentation’ and ‘enhanced component protection’.

They can be integrated with postal packs in self-explanatory packaging, while the trays can also be easily embossed with concise instructions, product references and codes.

TEQ also lists a number of manufacturing benefits for its COVID-19 testing kits such as:

• Components being loaded into specific locations as part of a repeatable operation
• An increase in pack efficacy and efficiency with any missing components more easily identified
• Reduction in labour costs because of the use of automatic lines
• Potential to increase assembly and pack speed

TEQ’s European Sales Director Anne-Sophie Belamine said: “TEQ can assist its customers in the product development phase through to full scale production and throughout the product life cycle. A thermoformed tray is easy to use and offers a high degree of functionality as well as a quick route to market.

“As the number of COVID 19/IVD test kits on the market continues to increase as testing becomes more widespread the need to differentiate becomes more critical”.

TEQ’s recently launched test kits are also available in both recycled and recyclable plastic and FSC certified fibre, which is recyclable with the paper stream.

In the early stages of the pandemic, it was revealed that many of TEQ’s medical technology customers had ‘Essential Business’ status and were playing a key role in responding to the crisis.

TEQ’s capabilities were soon in great demand as it can provide a shorter supply chain, with all packaging products coming from its state-of-the-art cleanrooms based in Hucknall, near Nottingham, and Poznan in Poland.

Its production facilities have operated around the clock to ensure total support of its customers, many of which are manufacturing life-saving medical supplies and technologies.

TEQ’s packaging range includes procedure sets, trays, tubs, lids and sterile barrier blisters and seal blisters. The company also manufactures custom thermoformed handling trays, for a wide range of applications, including dry powder inhalers, auto-injectors, injection-moulded components, pre-filled syringes and pharmaceutical bottles.

TEQ was acquired a year ago by Sonoco, a global leader which has recently been ranked second in the packaging/containers industry section of FORTUNE’S prestigious World’s Most Admired Companies list. The company also produces recyclable, moulded-pulp-fibre packaging under the Fibrepak brand.