𝐌𝐚𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐢𝐚𝐥 𝐀𝐝𝐯𝐚𝐧𝐜𝐞𝐬 𝐇𝐞𝐥𝐩𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐭𝐨 𝐃𝐫𝐢𝐯𝐞 𝐌𝐞𝐝𝐢𝐜𝐚𝐥 𝐃𝐞𝐯𝐢𝐜𝐞 𝐃𝐞𝐯𝐞𝐥𝐨𝐩𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭

Plastics have long played a key role in enabling the design and production of numerous #medicaldevices. But intensive work continues in design studios and materials labs around the world to advance the technology used to save and extend lives. Here is a sampling of some of that work.

Introducing the world's first bio-pipette

#ElmplasticGmbH, a German manufacturer of dosing aids and primary pharmaceutical packaging, has launched the first commercially available pipette made from bioplastic. The Dudeldorf-based company said it worked with materials maker #BiovoxGmbH and the German subsidiary of international plastics distributor #UltrapolymersGroup.

The product, dubbed #BioPipette, uses Biovox's MedEco bioplastic. These polymers consist either entirely of #polylacticacid (PLA) or 95 percent #biobasedpolyethylene (PE). They are approved for use in the medical sector, and the resins are compliant with ISO 10993.

Compared to existing pipettes made of polyethylene or polypropylene, Elm-plastic says this advancement aids sustainability by enabling a 113 percent reduction in the product's CO₂ footprint (cradle to gate). #MedEcoPLA also can be processed at low temperatures, which translates into significant energy savings compared to molding fossil-based plastics.

Biovox says its #PLA is particularly well-suited to producing dimensionally stable injection-molded parts with a non-slip surface. It offers high rigidity and strength, which lends itself to applications with low wall thicknesses.

Elm-plastic is responsible for the product-specific design, manufacturing, and regulatory compliance. #Biovox developed and manufactures the medical compounds, and Ultrapolymers Deutschland provided initial consulting services for material selection and processing up to the start of series production.

source :Robert Grace - Plastics Today