SABIC showcases new pharma grades of PP

SITTARD, The Netherlands – SABIC is coming to Pharmapack Europe 2014 (Paris, February 12-13) to demonstrate its intent to further expand into the healthcare market.

At stand 354, SABIC will introduce two new pharmaceutical grades of polypropylene intended for syringes, other medical dosing application devices and also for packaging for healthcare applications. The two grades, SABIC? PP PCGR40 and a lubricated variant, SABIC? PP PCGR40L, are high-flow random copolymers typically used for producing thin-walled products with high levels of clarity. These new polypropylene grades support the production of healthcare products that are highly reliable, very safe to use, and economic to produce.

The first grade, PP PCGR40, is – amongst others - well suited to the production of three-piece syringes, in which an elastomeric seal on the plunger provides the required lubrication.

For two-piece syringes the second grade, PP PCGR40L, can be considered, since the lubrication is supplied by the plunger itself, providing a high level of dosing accuracy.

New high-purity, high-flow pharmaceutical grades of random polypropylene, SABIC? PP PCGR40 and a lubricated variant, SABIC? PP PCGR40L, are typically used for syringe plungers and bodies  (Photo SABIC)

The high levels of transparency of both grades are achieved by the inherent clarity of random PP copolymers plus the use of state-of-the-art clarifying technology. Together, they provide an extra level of patient safety, since it is very easy to see the levels of liquid in the syringe, and to ensure there are no bubbles. Both new grades are reactor grades, which results in significantly pure materials.
Thin-walled devices and packaging
Both new PP grades have a melt flow rate (MFR) of 40 g/min. This not only enables production of thin-walled medical devices and packaging, it also supports processors to reduce cycle times compared to grades with MFRs of between 30 and 35 g/min that are commonly used within the healthcare industry. This provides advantages for processors in terms of energy consumption, total conversion costs, and overall sustainability - an issue that is increasingly important for healthcare companies. 

Molding trials with the new grades were recently carried out on a high-precision 32-cavity Sch?ttli AG mold by the moldmaker itself. “We are very impressed by the results,” said Eberhard Dengler, product manager, Medical, at Sch?ttli AG. “We did some side-by-side tests with syringes molded in some other polypropylene grades intended for the application, and the extra aesthetic quality of the parts made with the SABIC resins was clearly visible to the naked eye. Plus, we were able to run the injection machine faster, enhancing processing performance.” 
“SABIC is strongly committed to the healthcare market, and we are here for the duration with a secure supply from production facilities around the world,” said Marnik Vaes, technical marketing Healthcare, at SABIC. “We have the materials, the extensive technical experience and know-how, and we have the global presence.”

The company already offers consistent supply from a broad portfolio of polyolefins and engineering thermoplastics developed and produced specifically for the healthcare market. Its total product andNike