United Soft Plastics reports growing use of TPEs for COVID-19 applications

United Soft Plastics (USP) has reported a surge of interest in the use of TPEs for the production of many COVID-19 related medical applications.

Companies from around the world have approached USP requesting materials to convert their non-medical manufacturing facilities to produce items to meet the healthcare demand from the global pandemic. 

TPEs have been adopted in a range of COVID-19 related applications including PPE and ventilator parts.

Benedict Herbst, EVP and CFO, said: “We are pleased to be an important contributor in the development of medical products that will help our fellow citizens combat this awful virus.”

USP expects this demand to drop gradually towards the middle or end of 2021, but there will still be more long-term support for these medical products than existed before the pandemic, particularly due to the growing use of antimicrobial, antivirus, and antibiotic compounds.  

Herbst added: “We see a larger fraction of consumers become more conscious of infectious disease and the ability that we have, both as manufacturers and consumers, to prevent the spread of disease through the choice of proper materials.”

In response to the continued growth, USP has undertaken extensive product development work and now offers a broad portfolio of TPE products. The company’s product line includes standard grades adhering to PP and special adhesion grades for non-PP overmolding applications with substrates such as ABS, PC, nylon, PBT, PS, PPO, and PMMA. Other innovative materials have been developed to meet special regulatory requirements within the FDA, EU food contact, REACH, and NSF.

The range of products also includes new acrylic-based TPEs which offer an ultra-transparent profile and a smooth dry surface with improved oil and chemical resistance. 

The company’s TPE materials are used to produce injection molded, extruded, and blow molded parts.