CBC India signs exclusive partnership with Metalco-Alupack for pharmaceutical aluminium packaging

INDIA – CBC India’s Ingredients & Packaging Solutions Division has signed an exclusive partnership with Metalco-Alupack to distribute seamless anodised aluminium containers for pharmaceutical products across India, supporting sterile API storage and regulatory compliance.

Metalco-Alupack manufactures seamless anodised aluminium containers used for chemical and pharmaceutical products, including sterile active pharmaceutical ingredients (APIs). 

The company supplies pharmaceutical packaging solutions to customers in multiple markets and provides regulatory support for its products. 

Mario Bartolomei, Managing Director of Metalco-Alupack, stated that the agreement will help the company strengthen its presence in the Indian pharmaceutical market, adding that together, the companies look forward to delivering high-quality pharmaceutical aluminium packaging solutions that support product integrity, regulatory compliance, and patient safety.

Why Aluminium for Pharmaceutical Packaging

Aluminium containers offer complete barrier protection against oxygen, moisture, and light, three factors that can degrade sensitive APIs. 

Unlike plastic, aluminium is impermeable and does not interact with drug formulations. Unlike glass, aluminium does not break and is lighter, reducing shipping weight and breakage risk. Seamless anodised aluminium containers are formed in a single piece without welded seams, eliminating potential leak paths. 

The anodised surface provides a hard, inert layer that resists corrosion and does not shed particles. For sterile APIs that must remain contaminant-free, aluminium is the material of choice.

The Indian Pharmaceutical Market Opportunity

India is a major manufacturer of generic pharmaceuticals and APIs, serving both domestic and export markets. 

Packaging that meets international regulatory standards (US FDA, EU GMP) is required for exported drugs. 

By partnering with CBC India, Metalco-Alupack gains access to Indian pharmaceutical manufacturers without establishing its own distribution network. 

CBC India has a presence across 46 locations spanning five continents through the CBC Group network. 

Durgesh Sharma, Managing Director of CBC India, stated that the partnership combines CBC India’s market presence with Metalco-Alupack’s century-long expertise in aluminium processing and pharmaceutical packaging, adding that the company aims to unlock new opportunities for sustainable growth and deliver trusted pharmaceutical packaging solutions across India.

A Century of Aluminium Expertise

Metalco-Alupack was founded in 1914 and is currently managed by the fourth generation of the Bartolomei family. 

The company specialises in aluminium processing and manufactures packaging solutions for pharmaceutical applications. 

Its products support drug stability and product protection during storage and transportation. 

The company works with pharmaceutical manufacturers and healthcare customers in different markets worldwide. 

The partnership extends Metalco-Alupack’s reach into India’s growing pharmaceutical manufacturing sector, where demand for high-quality primary packaging has increased as Indian drugmakers expand exports to regulated markets.

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