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Polymer Compounds For Medical
Devices
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R C GUPTA
Sr. General Manager
KLJ Polymers & Chemicals Ltd. SILVASSA |
The use of PVC compounds in medical device manufacture
for more than 50 years has demonstrated its great ability to satisfy the
demanding requirements of the medical health care industry. Before PVC can
be made into products, it has to be modified by adding a range of additives
like plasticizers, stabilizers, lubricants, processing aid, impact
modifiers, antioxidants, UV stabilizer and pigments.
Various grades of PVC compounds meet national & international standards like
USP, ISO, heavy metal free, kink resistant, ESD
protection etc.
India is among the fastest growing economy of the world.
With the Government of India’s thrust on health care, sector grew at a rate
of 17% from 2010 to 2016 and is expected to grow by more than 15% during
2016 to 2020. That means, requirement of medical devices increases by same
percentage.
One of the most versatile & popular polymer used for
medical devices is Polyvinyl chloride. It has widest range of applications
from rigid to flexible, opaque to transparent, colored and insulating or
conducting.
The use of PVC compounds in medical device manufacture
for more than 50 years has demonstrated its great ability to satisfy the
demanding requirements of the medical health care
industry. PVC was originally developed to replace natural rubber and glass.
Medical devices made from these traditional materials need cleaning and
re-sterilization before reuse. High performance of PVC material at a
reasonable cost advantage made it possible to manufacture single use
devices, replacing glass and rubber products. |
Before PVC can be made into products, it has to be modified by
adding a range of additives like plasticizers, stabilizers, lubricants,
processing aid, impact modifiers, antioxidants, UV stabilizer and pigments.
Additives will influence or determine the mechanical properties, light and
thermal stability, color, clarity and electrical properties of the product.
KLJ is into medical compounding business for the last 50 years.
KLJ compounds can be sterilized by ETO , gamma rays and steam. We are known for
offering a wide range of PVC compounds for medical applications that are rigid
and extra soft both for molding and extrusion applications.
KLJ is manufacturing medical grade compound in dust free clean
room area on automatic plant, where human touch is minimal.
PVC compounds are manufactured with premium grade of
plasticizers, phthalate & non phthalate Kanatol-800FG, Kanatol-8080 and DINCH.
These plasticizers are also manufactured by KLJ at their KLJ plasticizer plant.
In addition to phthalate, KLJ also supply adipates, malleate, epoxy and other
plasticizers. Following the medical sector requirements our company developed a
range of DEHP free products.
Various grades of PVC compounds meet national & international
standards like USP, ISO, heavy metal free, kink resistant, ESD protection etc.
Our compounds are formulated using raw materials, which complies
to REACH, ROHS and USP requirements. |
