Solvay’s KetaSpire PEEK chosen for BGI genome sequencer

Solvay Specialty Polymers’ KetaSpire polyetheretherketone (PEEK), a semi-crystalline thermoplastic, has been chosen by BGI for use in its genome sequencing platform, BGISEQ-500

Jing Wang, R&D manager of BGI, a genomics organisation based in Shenzhen, China, said: “Traditionally, glass is used for the flow cell chip holder but it is easily broken and difficult to process. The toughness and injection molding capabilities of Solvay’s KetaSpire PEEK solved this problem perfectly.

“KetaSpire PEEK also demonstrates excellent biocompatibility, no absorption or interaction with reagents and excellent dimensional stability, which enables highly accurate assembly in the flow cell.”

In October 2015, BGI launched the BGISEQ-500, a desktop sequencing system powered by combinatorial Probe-Anchor Synthesis (cPAS) and DNA Nanoballs (DNB) technology.

Wang said: “We are very pleased to collaborate with Solvay. Their polymer knowledge, expertise and responsive technical support helped us meet critical performance requirements.”

 Luke Du, managing director Asia and executive vice president of Solvay Specialty Polymers, said: “Solvay’s experience as a key materials supplier to the healthcare industry spans more than 25 years. With our broad product portfolio, we are firmly positioned as a strategic supplier to the Chinese healthcare market.”

KetaSpire® PEEK is one of the industry’s most chemically resistant plastics and offers excellent strength, superior fatigue resistance, and a continuous-use temperature of 240°C (464°F). It can withstand more than 1,000 cycles of steam sterilization without significant loss of properties and is also compatible with other sterilization methods, including ethylene oxide, vaporized hydrogen peroxide, and gamma radiation. Based on biocompatibility testing as defined by ISO 10993-1, KetaSpire® PEEK demonstrates no evidence of cytotoxicity, sensitization, intracutaneous reactivity or systemic toxicity.