TAGS: Medical
The past year, dominated by COVID-19, has been exceptional for plastic molding and extrusion linked to diagnostic instruments and consumables.
The global market for injection molded and extruded plastics for medical applications remains robust and continues to grow consistently at between 6-8%, with North America (NA) and Europe (EU) being the largest markets, but consumption in India followed by China growing rapidly.
The factors driving the growth of these medical plastics technologies & applications include:
-
Growing aging population
- Expanding home healthcare sector in NA & EU
- Increasing cases of COVID-19, and
- Healthcare waste management concerns
The market size of global medical plastics was valued at USD 25.3 billion in 2020 and is expected to grow at a CAGR of 7.5% from 2021 to 2028, with its increasing innovative use in synthetic organs, electronics technology, diagnosis technologies & more.
Find out some of the latest top plastics material & application innovations in the medical industry.
Anti-fog Polycarbonate Film for Medical Protective Equipments by Sabic
SABIC has developed and commercialized a
PolyCarbonate (PC)-based anti-fog film for use in personal protective equipment such as face shields and goggles for medical environments. Their anti-fog PC film grade,
Lexan™ HP92AF includes a single-sided coat that maintains itself at very high humidity levels and is not detrimental to PC impact strength or surface abrasion. Also, very critical high optical transparency is maintained throughout use, and there is no
haze factor occurring that is normally the case with other
transparent materials.
SABIC's Anti-fog PC Film (L) Used in Medical Protective MasksTrilliant™ Compounds for Hospital Disinfectants by Avient
Avient has successfully developed two proprietary, patent-pending, BPA (BisPhenol A) free,
Trilliant™ healthcare compounds HC8910 and
HC8920 that combine flame retardancy with enhanced chemical resistance to hospital disinfectants. Existing Trilliant™ healthcare compounds are formulated from:
To measure
environmental stress crack resistance to extreme hospital disinfectant routines, they adapted an American Society for Test and Measurement (ASTM) D543 test standard. These extreme disinfectants include:
- Virex Tb
- CaviCide
- Vesphene IIse, and
- Super Sani-Cloth
More specifically, from a
flame retardancy aspect Trilliant™ HC8920 is rating certified to Underwriters Laboratories (UL)94 5VA at 3.0 millimeters (mm), V-0 at 1.5 mm, and V-1 at 0.75 mm. Trilliant™ compounds are available in standard or custom colors. They are not only more chemically resistant but also have superior mechanical properties, and maintain aesthetics compared to competitive flame retarded PolyCarbonate (PC)/Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene (ABS), and PC/PolyEthylene Terephthalate (PET) compounds.
Avient's Chemically Resistant Trilliant™ Compounds for Medical Device CleaningStyrene Block Copolymer TPEs for Menstrual Cups by Zylog
Continuing on enthusiastically, Zylog is India’s oldest
ThermoPlastic Elastomer (TPE) company. Recently, it has placed an emphasis on the Indian government’s “Make in India” campaign that reduces an import dependency in key markets like medical devices. They have been instrumental in the new application development of menstrual cups for domestic consumption as well as being a leader in export markets.
Zylog's SBC TPE Menstrual Cups
Thermoset silicone rubber has been the
traditional material of choice in this application due to its capabilities in:
- Biocompatibility
- Extended use shape retention naturally and after disinfection with boiling water, and
- Very low compression set
Zylog’s Styrene Block Copolymer (SBC) TPE meets all these preceding requirements and at a lower cost.
The part retails at US$0.50 or up to 35% less than the
silicone rubber alternative, which makes it very competitive domestically in India as well as in all global export markets, including the U.S. Expert development, and implementation of multi-cavity
injection molding further enhances cost efficiency long term, while meeting applicable:
- United States Food and Drug Administration
- Code of Federal Regulations (US FDA CFR) 21 (globally recognized medical device standard)
- European Union (EU) Regulation 10/2011 (EU FDA parallel rule)
- EuropeaN Standard (EN) 71/3 (measures heavy metal migration)
- Restriction of Hazardous Substances (RoHS; EU developed), and
- Registration, Evaluation, Authorisation and (Restriction) of CHemicals (REACH; European originated) regulations
Transition Extrusion Allows Blending of Dissimilar Materials by Exgineering
Exploring further, Swiss-based company Exgineering has pioneered what is referred to as “transition extrusion” that
improves quality and reduces the cost of medical extruded devices. For example, in a medical catheter tube, “transition extrusion” allows blending manipulation between two plastic materials such as
Arkema Pebax® 4033 and 7233, leading to a smoother finished profile.
In a traditional catheter assembly, a “segmented” approach is used where, for example, two tubes are manufactured separately, positioned over a core fixture, and ultimately but welded together. The advantages of
extruding a multi-material catheter tube in a single manufacturing step include:
- Less complicated manufacturing
- Improved bond strength between materials
- A wider range of Shore D hardness, and
- Reduced finished profile kinking
Exgineering's ‘Transition Extrusion’ (Top) Integrates Dissimilar Materials More SmoothlyEurotec Grades for Medical Ventilators & Device Sterilization
Let’s end with specialty compounder Eurotec, that in light of the COVID-19 global pandemic, is emphasizing a broad and cost-effective medical device materials product line. For example, their
Tecomid® PolyAmide6 (PA6, Nylon) NB40 grades have found extensive use in:
- Respirators
- Ventilators
- Masks
- Goggles, and
- Hospital bed equipment
More specifically,
Tecotek® BC40, a PolyCarbonate (PC)/Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene (ABS) compound blend, prevents static build-up in medical ventilator components.
Eurotec's Static-Free PC/ABS Material in Medical Ventilator Application
From another specialty perspective, Eurotec has been cognizant of UltraViolet C (UV-C) rays being extremely effective in the 200-280 nanometers wavelength range in killing virus, mold, bacteria, and fungi microorganisms. In turn, they have developed UV-C masterbatch products successively tested in
PolyPropylene (PP), where mechanical property and surface color fastness are maintained in medical equipment and device sterilization.
Recently Launched Polymers Used in the Medical Industry
Want to Get a 360° View of 2021 Game-changing Medical Plastics Innovations?
Dr. Donald Rosato will take you through the
medical industry's major innovations from the past 12 months in his course. Identify areas of opportunities for
medical plastics by reviewing latest innovations in materials (antimicrobial, high purity…) & applications (implants, synthetic organs, monitoring technologies…). Strategize the launch & future of your medical products and use of plastics by learning about the market dynamics (growth, drivers, restraints...) by joining the course.
