Overview: Bemis, Amcor, and the U.S. Packaging & Printing Landscape

Bemis was a leading U.S.-based flexible packaging and printing company recognized for high-barrier films and sterile medical packaging. In 2019, Amcor completed the amcor bemis acquisition, creating Amcor plc and integrating Bemis’ product technologies and U.S. operations into Amcor’s global network. Today, customers will often see legacy Bemis medical films and pouches supplied under the Amcor umbrella, retaining their performance profiles while benefiting from Amcor’s scale and quality systems.

In industry conversations and search queries (e.g., “bemis amcor”), this consolidation is central to understanding supplier continuity, product equivalence, and long-term support for medical device packaging in the United States.

What Changed and What Stayed the Same

• Ownership & Brand: Bemis Company, Inc. became part of Amcor. Many Bemis medical and high-barrier platforms remain available, now supported by Amcor’s broader manufacturing, QA, and supply chain.
• Capabilities: Core strengths—multi-layer coextrusion (7–11 layers), high-barrier structures for sterile barrier systems, and medical-grade printing—continue with ongoing process validation and traceability.
• Customer Impact: Most specifications and validated materials remain consistent. Existing validations can typically be bridged via change control and supplier documentation provided by Amcor.

Medical & High-Barrier Packaging Capabilities (Formerly Bemis, now Amcor)

• High-Barrier Films: Multi-layer coextrusions designed for demanding oxygen and moisture protection in medical and pharmaceutical adjacencies. Typical targets include OTR as low as ~0.001–0.01 cc/100 in²/day and WVTR in the low hundredths g/100 in²/day (measured under standard lab conditions), enabling extended shelf-life for sensitive devices.
• Sterile Barrier Compatibility: Structures engineered for compatibility with common sterilization modalities (ETO, Gamma, E-beam, and selected steam applications), and validated to relevant standards (e.g., ISO 11607-series for packaging of terminally sterilized medical devices).
• Mechanical Performance: Reinforced puncture and tear resistance via PA- and/or PET-containing stacks where required, balanced against sealability using PE-based seal layers for consistent heat-seal performance and peel strength.
• Printing & Traceability: Medical-grade printing, UDI support, and documentation aligned with FDA and international norms. Change control and material disclosure are managed under Amcor’s quality system.

Clarifying the Names: Bemis Company vs. Bemis Manufacturing Company

The term “bemis manufacturing company” frequently appears in searches but refers to a different U.S. business best known for consumer and commercial plastic products (e.g., toilet seats). It is not part of the amcor bemis acquisition and is separate from the legacy Bemis packaging enterprise. When discussing medical and flexible packaging in the United States, “Bemis” refers to the former Bemis Company, Inc., now integrated into Amcor.

Why the Acquisition Matters to Healthcare and High-Value Packaging

• Supply Resilience: Amcor’s global footprint enhances business continuity for high-spec medical films and pouches, a critical factor for OEM risk management and regulatory audits.
• R&D Continuity: Legacy Bemis material science expertise—especially in barrier design, tie-layer engineering, and sterilization compatibility—has been retained and expanded within Amcor’s R&D.
• Regulatory Alignment: Ongoing alignment to ISO 11607 and related test methods (e.g., seal strength, burst, dye ingress, and accelerated aging protocols) supports device submissions and lifecycle maintenance.

Quick FAQs (Including Common but Unrelated Searches)

Key Takeaways for U.S. Buyers and Engineers

• Continuity: Legacy Bemis medical and barrier materials remain available via Amcor, with consistent performance and documentation.
• Regulatory & Validation: Maintain change control files and obtain updated supplier statements where necessary; expect continuity in ISO/FDA-aligned data packs.
• Next Steps: For specification, sterilization compatibility, or data package requests, contact Amcor’s medical packaging team (formerly Bemis) for technical consultation and validation support.