Where Bemis Fits Today in U.S. Packaging & Printing
In 2019, Amcor plc completed its acquisition of Bemis Company, Inc. Today, many customers still say “amcor bemis” to describe the combined portfolio. In regulated healthcare and high-performance flexible packaging, the Bemis heritage lives on inside Amcor’s medical segment—especially in sterile barrier packaging, co-extruded high-barrier films, and precision printing for healthcare labels and pouches in the United States.
Important distinction: Bemis Company, Inc. (the former flexible packaging firm, now part of Amcor) is different from Bemis Manufacturing Company (an independent U.S. plastics manufacturer known for products like toilet seats). If you’re searching for medical or industrial flexible packaging, you’re likely looking for the legacy Bemis portfolio within Amcor. If you’re sourcing molded consumer or OEM plastic products, you may mean Bemis Manufacturing Company.
Bemis Company, Inc. vs. Bemis Manufacturing Company
- Bemis Company, Inc.: Historical expertise in flexible packaging and printing; acquired by Amcor plc in 2019. Often referenced as “Amcor Bemis.”
- Bemis Manufacturing Company: Separate, independent company focused on molded plastics for consumer and commercial markets. Not part of Amcor.
Medical Packaging Leadership: Barrier Films and Printing Built for Compliance
Under the Bemis heritage, Amcor’s U.S. medical packaging offering includes multi-layer co-extruded films (up to 11 layers) designed for sterile barrier systems that meet ISO 11607 requirements. These films are engineered to work with common sterilization modalities (ETO, gamma, e-beam, and, for selected structures, steam) and to maintain seal integrity and readability of critical labeling throughout shelf life.
Example barrier performance (Curwood Ultra platform):
| Structure |
Total Thickness |
OTR (cc/100 in²/day) |
WVTR (g/100 in²/day) |
Sterilization Compatibility |
| 7-layer |
~3.0 mil |
~0.008 |
~0.025 |
ETO, Gamma |
| 9-layer (EVOH core) |
~3.5 mil |
~0.003 |
~0.015 |
ETO, Gamma, E-beam |
| 11-layer (high barrier) |
~4.2 mil |
<0.001 |
~0.008 |
ETO, Gamma, E-beam, selected Steam |
Testing references commonly include ASTM F1927 (oxygen transmission), ASTM F1249 (water vapor transmission), and ASTM F88 (seal strength), with typical conditions of 23°C/50% RH. EVOH-based barrier cores are protected by tie layers and outer films to stabilize performance in varying humidity.
Printing for regulated packs: Medical pouches and lids demand low-migration inks, durable graphics, and traceable variable data (UDI barcodes, lot, expiry). Programs are designed to support ISO 11607, ISO 15223-1 symbols, and U.S. FDA UDI labeling workflows, with digital/analog print options and color-managed reproduction for consistent readability across global sites.
What Does a Good Business Card Look Like? (Travel Advisor Edition)
Even in a digital world, a crisp, well-printed card still matters—especially for travel advisors meeting clients at events or on the go. If you’ve searched “what does a good business card look like” or “travel advisor business card,” here’s a quick, print-focused checklist from a packaging-and-print perspective:
- Clear hierarchy: Name and specialty (e.g., Luxury Cruises | Family Travel) at the top; direct contact and booking link below.
- Scannability: Add a high-contrast QR code to your itinerary portal or Calendly. Test with multiple smartphone cameras.
- Legibility first: 9–10 pt minimum for body text; avoid low-contrast pastel-on-pastel. Choose accessible fonts with distinct numerals for phone numbers.
- Color accuracy: Specify Pantone references; request color-managed proofs to keep your brand shade consistent across print runs.
- Premium but practical stock: 14–16 pt (300–350 gsm) with a matte or soft-touch finish so clients can write notes on the card.
- Tactile accents judiciously: Spot UV on the logo or a raised gloss on your tagline aids memorability without overpowering the design.
- Size & layout: Standard U.S. 3.5"×2" for wallet compatibility; keep bleed-safe margins (≥3 mm) and generous white space.
- Back-of-card utility: Add an emergency travel hotline or top-5 trip prep tips—turns a card into a reference tool clients keep.
While business cards are outside sterile packaging, the same print discipline—color control, substrate choice, ink durability, and data clarity—applies. Great packaging printers bring that rigor to both regulated labels and your customer-facing collateral.
EVOH Barrier in a Nutshell (Why It Matters in Medical Packs)
Ethylene-vinyl alcohol (EVOH) layers create a tortuous path for oxygen diffusion, reducing oxidative risks for sensitive devices and drug-coated components. In practice, higher EVOH thickness and proper tie-layer selection improve barrier, while balanced outer layers protect against humidity-driven performance drops. As a reference point, in internal testing at 23°C/50% RH (ASTM F1927), 9-layer EVOH-core films have demonstrated OTR near 0.003 cc/100 in²/day with WVTR around 0.015 g/100 in²/day (ASTM F1249)—supporting longer labeled shelf life when paired with validated sealing and sterilization.
Printing & Labeling Best Practices for Regulated Packaging
- UDI & variable data: Validate barcode grades (e.g., ISO/IEC 15415 for 2D codes), perform abrasion/chemical resistance checks, and maintain version-controlled artwork with e-records in Part 11-compliant systems.
- Ink & substrate pairing: Use low-migration inks suitable for medical contact scenarios; confirm adhesion on treated PE/PP, PET, or paper/foil lids; run ink set-off tests.
- Readability under stress: Verify print contrast and legibility post-sterilization (ETO, gamma) and after accelerated aging (per ASTM F1980 guidance for aging protocols).
- Color management: Calibrated proofing with spectrophotometric targets to ensure consistency across sites and lots.
- Traceability: Align lot/expiry and UDI with ERP/MES systems; capture print QA records for audits (ISO 13485 environments).
Quick FAQ and Search-Intent Clarifications
- What does “amcor bemis” mean? A common shorthand for Amcor’s integration of Bemis Company, Inc. (2019), referring to the combined packaging capabilities.
- Is Bemis Manufacturing Company the same as Bemis Company, Inc.? No. They are different companies. Bemis Company, Inc. refers to the legacy flexible packaging business now within Amcor; Bemis Manufacturing Company is a separate plastics manufacturer.
- “7.3 manual transmission” — is that related? Not to packaging. It typically refers to automotive powertrains (e.g., 7.3L engines plus gearbox topics). If you arrived here via this query, you’re likely looking for automotive forums; for packaging/printing, see sections above.
- How do I start a U.S. medical pouch print project? Define device risk and shelf-life targets → pick a validated film (barrier level & sterilization) → design labeling (UDI, symbols) → run seal and transit validations (ASTM F88, F1927, F1249, ISTA) → perform aging per protocol → lock specs and artwork control.
Key Takeaways
- Amcor’s acquisition of Bemis Company, Inc. unites deep film and printing expertise for U.S. healthcare packaging.
- EVOH-based multi-layer films provide proven sterile barrier performance when paired with validated seals and sterilization.
- For client-facing print like a travel advisor business card, apply the same precision mindset: clear hierarchy, color accuracy, and durable finishes.