In pharmaceutical manufacturing, there is no room for compromise. From the quality of materials to the reliability of each process, every element must meet strict standards of safety, precision and traceability. Tapematic, an Italian company with over 50 years of experience in industrial automation and surface treatments, has brought its innovation and expertise into this highly regulated sector, offering advanced coating technologies that ensure durability, compliance and efficiency.

PST Line II: a benchmark for coating performance

The PST Line II is Tapematic’s most advanced modular system for vacuum metallization and UV coating. Although originally developed for the cosmetics industry, its adaptability and performance have made it an ideal choice for pharmaceutical applications. In the production of pharmaceutical components such as caps, closures and applicators, coating plays a crucial role in protecting the product from external contaminants, enhancing visual clarity and ensuring long-term resistance to handling, sterilization and environmental conditions.
What sets the PST Line II apart is its in-line configuration. Each module—loading, pretreatment, primer application, vacuum metallization, UV coating and unloading—is integrated into a continuous process. This architecture eliminates the need for manual transfers between phases, minimizing contamination risk and reducing the potential for human error. It also ensures that every item is treated with consistent parameters, maintaining repeatability across high-volume batches—an essential requirement in the pharmaceutical sector.

Meeting the standards of regulated industries

In pharmaceutical environments, machinery must support the highest contamination standards and ensure full traceability of every component. Tapematic’s systems are engineered with these requirements in mind. The PST Line II and PST Line C both include a module for cleaning and pretreatment of surfaces, preparing them for optimal adhesion of coatings without the need for a cleanroom environment. This module effectively removes dust, particles and residues, contributing to the overall safety of the final product.
Moreover, the closed nature of the process—where each phase is contained within a sealed module—adds an extra layer of control, limiting exposure to ambient air and maintaining a clean, controlled environment around the product. This makes the system compatible with pharmaceutical packaging workflows where sterility and cleanliness are essential.

Compact efficiency with PST Line C

For pharmaceutical companies operating in constrained spaces or requiring lower throughput, Tapematic offers the PST Line C: a compact, non-modular version of the PST Line II. Despite its smaller footprint, this system delivers the same quality of vacuum metallization and UV coating. It is ideal for niche pharmaceutical packaging needs such as specialized applicators, small-format containers or personalized treatment units.
The PST Line C, like all Tapematic machinery, supports a wide range of shapes—not just cylindrical items—ensuring it can handle complex geometries often required by pharmaceutical designs. Its intuitive interface and fast changeover capabilities allow operators to switch formats with minimal downtime, further supporting flexible manufacturing needs.

Benefits of UV coating in pharmaceutical packaging

UV coating offers multiple advantages for pharmaceutical applications. Beyond its aesthetic properties, which include gloss or matte finishes, it provides a robust protective layer that enhances product lifespan. UV coatings applied with Tapematic systems are:

• Chemically resistant: they withstand exposure to alcohol, disinfectants and other solvents used in clinical environments.
• Mechanically durable: they resist scratching, abrasion and frequent handling.
• Precise and uniform: application is controlled by enclosed, automated spray modules, guaranteeing consistency.
• Eco-efficient: UV coatings cure instantly using low-energy lamps, eliminating the need for ovens or extended drying times.

The reduced use of materials, lower energy consumption and minimal waste generation contribute to the sustainability goals adopted by pharmaceutical companies worldwide.

Customization and data-driven control

Customization is becoming more relevant in the pharmaceutical field, especially with the growing demand for patient-specific treatments, digital traceability and tamper-evident packaging. Tapematic addresses this need with its IDM II module, which adds laser engraving, hot stamping and variable-data UV decoration directly into the production line.
This opens the possibility of encoding serial numbers, lot codes, barcodes or branding elements without compromising throughput or adding manual steps. Inline decoration reduces inventory of pre-printed parts, shortens lead times and ensures full alignment with real-time production data. With Tapematic, decoration becomes part of the quality system—not just a design feature.

A trusted partner for industrial innovation

Tapematic’s commitment to precision engineering, internal R&D and fully in-house manufacturing in Italy ensures that each system reflects the highest levels of craftsmanship and innovation. Pharmaceutical clients benefit from personalized project consultation, technical support and long-term service that extends well beyond installation.
As a company that has always embraced the challenges of high-performance sectors—from automotive to cosmetics and now pharmaceuticals—Tapematic brings a deep understanding of what durability, safety and compliance truly mean in industrial contexts. Every machine is built not only to meet today’s standards, but to anticipate tomorrow’s expectations.