Clariant expands polymer compounds portfolio

The polymers announced by Clariant Plastics and Coatings Healthcare Polymer Solutions, offer both makers of medical devices and pharmaceutical packaging enhanced functionality, without compromising on compliance with regulatory requirements.

These resins are part of the Mevopur line of colour and additive concentrates and ‘ready-to-use’ polymer compounds.

Acrylonitrile-Butadiene-Styrene (ABS) is typically known as a versatile material which is widely available as a ‘medical grade’ resin. Clariant has enhanced the properties of the ABS resin using its formulation skills and compounding capabilities in EN-ISO13485:2016 certified production facilities with pre-tested ingredients that support compliance to standards such as ISO10993 and USP class VI.

Steve Duckworth, global head of marketing and business development, Clariant, commented: “Clariant recently introduced the theme of ‘The Colour of Innovation,’ to show how making decisions about materials early enough to apply Quality by Design (QbD) principles widens the scope of possibilities.

“We are known for colour, but we also demonstrate what can be done to add new properties to polymers – such as medical grade ABS – and widen the application possibilities for what is already an excellent resin.”

Examples of the Mevopur functional compounds include:

ABS anti-scratch

ABS is often used for its visual appeal; however, this can be spoiled by surface scratches which are particularly visible on dark colours. The new Mevopur compounds reduce the appearance of scratches, and therefore help devices look good for longer.

ABS antistatic

Plastics are insulators, and prone to a build-up of static charges. This means in applications where plastics are in contact with powders, the powder can stick to the surface. For example, in drug delivery devices, such as inhaler spacer chambers, this sticking effect reduces the dose reliability and repeatability. Mevopur permanent antistatic compounds are able to reduce the surface resistivity and dissipate charges quickly - eliminating sticking. Antistatic resins are available both in opaque colours and in transparent Methylmethacrylate-Acrylonitrile-Butadiene-Styrene (MABS).

ABS laser-welding transparent

Laser welding involves two components: Laser transmitting and laser absorbing materials. Polymers are usually transparent to the laser wavelengths and need to be modified so they absorb laser energy. Coloured pigments can also interfere with laser light transmission. These factors become a challenge when both components need to look the same. The new Mevopur compounds feature transparent colours (e.g. blue) for both the laser transmitting and absorbing components.

ABS laser marking, high contrast

Laser-marking offers high speed, flexibility and solvent-free marking on plastics. However, achieving a high-contrast, dark-mark on a light background can be a problem. The new Mevopur ABS white compound optimises the contrast decreasing the time it takes to make a distinct mark.

“The ‘Colour of Innovation’ is about bringing new ideas and capabilities to designers, but without sacrificing on regulatory compliance,” adds Duckworth. “This is why we say that Mevopur helps make every decision an opportunity.”