TPU elastomers protect healthcare workers during the global pandemic

Manufacturer Huntsman has been producing Thermoplastic PolyUrethane (TPU) elastomers for manufacturers of essential medical Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) to help with the Covid-19 pandemic.

Huntsman’s TPUs are being used globally to produce hospital gowns, face masks, mattress covers, tubes, valves, cable jackets, and Powered Air Purifying Respirators (PAPR).

PAPR are a type of breathing apparatus that provides frontline healthcare workers with a very high level of protection against viruses such as Covid-19. PAPR is battery powered, and able to purify contaminated air through a filter into the wearer’s head covering. The PAPR are held in place via a waist belt which is manufactured by BioThane. The belts are coated in Huntsman’s Irogran TPU, and as a result are easy to thoroughly clean.

Ethan Bron, president of BioThane, said: “We have been serving medical and safety markets for decades and sincerely appreciate and thank the frontline workers for their dedication. We are working hard to supply the belting required for these applications to ensure they have access to the PPE they so urgently need.”

Tony Hankins, president of Huntsman’s polyurethanes business, added: “We are pleased to be helping in the fight against Covid-19 and honoured to be a critical supplier to BioThane.

“This is the latest effort in a series of initiatives we’ve undertaken across the world in response to the pandemic, including the donation of our polyurethane systems to manufacture insulation panels for pre-fabricated quarantine hospitals, and to our customers producing spandex for medical PPE, such as masks, protection suits and shoes.”