MEDICAL | COMPOUNDS
New medical-grade compounds fit the bill
New compounds and additives aim to meet needs in medical markets such as fit-for-purpose performance, supply-chain security, and regulation, reports Jennifer Markarian
One challenge for plastic compounds going into highly regulated medical and pharmaceutical applications is that any changes to materials must be carefully controlled, and achieving approval for a new material is a lengthy process. Nevertheless, changes in regulations and supply chain issues must be addressed, and new products may have new requirements that make material changes necessary. “Innovation is back in full swing,” said Kelly
Wessner, Vice-President of Sales, Key Accounts and Business Expansion at performance material distributor Formerra. “During the height of the pandemic, many healthcare manufacturers shifted focus to supply chain survival, securing raw materials and keeping production lines running. But now, we’re seeing a resurgence in new product development. Areas like drug delivery systems, remote patient monitoring, and labware are seeing
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rapid advances. With supply chains stabilising, manufacturers are once again prioritising R&D, fast-tracking material evaluations, and pushing new devices to market. The next wave of healthcare innovation is happening now – and it’s fueled by materials that enable better performance, safety, and sustainability.” Wessner suggests that sustainability is becoming a business imperative. “Medical OEMs [original equipment manufacturers] are looking for materials that reduce environmental impact without compro- mising performance,” she said. “Sustainability efforts are pushing companies to rethink material selection from a long-term perspective. The future of medical plastics is as much about what works today as it is about what will be viable ten years from now.” A stable supply is always important, but even more so in medical compounds, where alternative
Main image: Polymer materials are strictly regulated in medical and pharmacuetical applications
April 2025 | COMPOUNDING WORLD 27
IMAGE: SHUTTERSTOCK
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