New FDA-compliant TPE materials for medical tubing applications unveiled

17-Feb-09

GLS Thermoplastic Elastomers, a PolyOne business showcased a new portfolio of U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA)-compliant TPE materials at MDM West held from Feb 9 - 11 at Anaheim, California. The new VERSAFLEX™ HC TPE materials, the company claims, are phthalate- and halogen-free with extremely low extractables for cleaner compounds that address health, environmental, and safety concerns. In comparison to the traditional polymer materials based on halogens, phthalate-based plasticizers, the five FDA-compliant materials provide customers with new choices for designing cleaner and more eco-conscious medical tubing. The company claims that the use of these green TPE materials will assist tubing manufacturers comply with current and anticipated regulations while delivering high performance and quality. "There's currently a lot of discussion about the health risks of phthalates and other plastic additives, and although the jury is still out, the clear trend is for increasing restrictions in the use of these substances," said Joe Kutka, technology launch manager, GLS Thermoplastic Elastomers. The VERSAFLEX HC product family comprises five grades: three offer high clarity for applications such as IV tubing, and the other two are translucent and provide excellent high-temperature performance for autoclaving. All grades can be extruded or injection molded, offering manufacturers the option to use a single material for both tubing and connectors.