• Broadest solutions portfolio ever: Now including K-Resin® SBC
• Novodur® HD M203FC G3: ISO 10993 certified glass fiber filled ABS
• Styrolux® 4G60: Specific drip chamber SBC grade

INEOS Styrolution, the global leader in styrenics, will present its latest innovations for the healthcare industry at the MD&M East event in New York (booth 1803 at the Jacob K. Javits Convention Center; June 13-15, 2017).

Showing its continued commitment to the healthcare industry, INEOS Styrolution increases its already broad portfolio of styrenic solutions by several promising innovations and new offerings.

The INEOS Styrolution portfolio for the healthcare industry ranges from transparent polymers (Terlux® HD, Zylar®, Clearblend®, Styrolux®, Styroflex®, K-Resin®, Lustran® (SAN), Luran® HD, NAS®) across opaque polymers (Novodur® HD, Lustran® (ABS)) to standard food contact packages (Styrolution® PS, Terluran®) and research and development support for medical device designers.

Visitors at the INEOS Styrolution booth will experience these new solutions:

- With K-Resin SBC, INEOS Styrolution has increased its family of styrenic solutions with a powerful brand with an established track record in the healthcare industry.

- Novodur HD M203FC G3 is the first ISO 10993 certified glass fiber filled ABS used for medical applications.

- Styrolux 4G60 is a new grade specifically designed for the use in drip chambers in IV sets.

- New applications at the booth include a thermoformed tray, an inhaler housing and Yankauer suction handles.

K-Resin: With the acquisition of the global K-Resin styrene-butadiene copolymers (SBC) business, INEOS Styrolution added a brand to its portfolio which is widely recognized in the healthcare industry. Grades such as the K-Resin KR03 and K-Resin BK10 are well-suited for many medical uses for devices and packaging. Not only do the polymers process easily and perform well, but they also meet many requirements of the medical industry.

Most K-Resin copolymers meet USP Class VI requirements, are compatible with blood and demonstrate no cytotoxic, mutagenic, sensitizing, or irritant potential. They are readily sterilizable by gamma irradiation, ethylene oxide gas, or electron beam with minimal effects on physical or optical properties.

Novodur HD M203FC G3 is a glass fiber filled ABS suited for medical applications which is certified against the relevant parts of the biocompatibility standard ISO 10993. The new grade delivers a significantly increased stiffness in combination with a high flowability making it the material of choice for demanding applications like medical spikes and applications requiring structural stability.

The regulatory compliancy reduces the risk for device manufacturers to pass the demanding  and time consuming regulatory approvals in the healthcare industry.  Novodur HD M203FC G3 will be offered with INEOS Styrolution’s “Full Service HD package” which includes the regulatory documents noted above along with an up to 36 months notification of change (NOC) with a signed long-term supply contract.

Styrolux 4G60 has been specifically designed for the development of drip chambers in IV sets. This new grade represents the first solution of the fourth generation of advanced copolymer materials. Styrolux 4G60 excels in softness, elasticity and transparency. Very good bonding properties make this new grade an excellent fit for the production of drip chambers. It is compliant with USP Class VI and selected ISO 10993 Standards.

Styrolux® 4G60 is available with the “Essential HD Package” with a signed long-term supply contract. The package includes an up to 12 months NOC.

New applications:

The IDEXX Quanti-Tray Lab Test tray application is an excellent example of how key Styrolux properties as transparency, extrusion capabilities, followability, and impact strength can be utilized in a blend to optimize performance for specific application needs. Thermoformed trays are not “one size fits all” applications. Specific requirements demand unique solutions which INEOS Styrolution is able to provide.

Quite a few inhaler housings are made taking advantage of Novodur (ABS) and Terlux (MABS) grades. The Boehringer Ingelheim HandiHaler®, which will be on display on the INEOS Styrolution booth, is a perfect example of benefiting from the respective properties of these two solutions: Novodur HD M203FC is used in the mouthpiece and housing due to its mechanical properties and surface appearance, and Terlux HD 2802 is used in the transparent capsule chamber for easy patient monitoring.

Yankauer suction handles are used for blood suction during operations. They require transparency and sterilizability. INEOS Styrolution presents a solution based on K-Resin SBC KR01 allowing for formability after injection molding in order to be able to bend the tube. K- Resin SBC KR01 provides an optimum balance of stiffness and toughness with a broad processing window and excellent mold release characteristics.