Eco-Friendly, Phthalate Free, Transparent Elastomer Polymer for Extrusion, Blown Film, Cast Film Medical Applications

New green alternative to PVC for medical applications

16-May-09

Kraton Polymers LLC (USA), a leading global producer of engineered polymers, announces its commercialization of Kraton G1645, a polymer that creates new opportunities to replace PVC in medical applications in response to increased increased demand for eco-friendly, better performing products verses conventional elastomers. The new polymer is a clear, sterilizable, strong elastomer that offers a broad formulating window without the need for phthalate plasticizers. According to the company, Kraton G1645 is characterized by smooth softness, flexible elasticity and toughness along with ultra-clear transparency. The company says it enables easy processability in blown and cast films and other standard extrusion equipment, high-speed thermoplastic processing and a high degree of puncture resistance required in many medical applications. The product, known in the developmental form as Kraton MD6945 requires no phthalate plasticizers or other softening agents. In addition, it is available as a free flowing dense pellet and can easily be directly blended or coextruded with polyolefins. It features a Shore A hardness of approximately 35, has a low density and is light weight (0.90 and up) which makes it an ideal replacement for PVC in medical applications. The testing performed by FDA recognized independent laboratories indicate these products meet requirements under the new international ISO standards, which are much more stringent than traditional USP Class VI and it passed the ISO 10993 standard. Kraton G1645 is approved by the FDA for use in direct food contact applications without any conditions of use or food type restrictions and compliant with the European Food Contact Directive 2002/72/EC.