MATERIALS | MEDICAL


transparency (>90% at 315 nm for the 0F301 grade), as well as a high surface energy that enables laminar flow in microchannels. Europlex films have high light transmission with low autofluorescence and are available in two versions – 0F304 (Tg 78 °C) and 0F305 (Tg 142 °C) – to meet “diverse thermal demands”. Both film families are biocompatible, can be


processed by laser cutting and are suitable for thermal, solvent, ultrasonic, and laser bonding, says the company. The company also highlighted its Lexan F8000HR sheet for aircraft interiors. The polycarbonate sheet is reinforced with glass


Above: Sabic and partners are recycling non-


contaminated hospital waste into virgin polymers


acquisition of Merrill’s Packaging, which specialises in custom thermoformed packaging. It also offers complementary products and services such as die-cut pouch/mounting cards and design, development and tooling services. It has production sites in California and Costa Rica that are ISO 13485 certified and equipped with ISO Class 8 cleanrooms. “This is an incredible opportunity for our employees and customers” said Rick Schulz, CEO of Merrill’s. “With access to Nelipak’s global capabilities and broad suite of rigid and flexible product solutions, we look forward to exploring new ways to deliver value to our customers.” This is not Nelipak’s only expansion in Costa Rica


– as it broke ground on a new facility there last summer. Due to open in the middle of this year, the 60,000 sq ft Class-A facility will expand Nelipak’s regional capacity and capabilities. The new site will be ISO 13485 certified and include ISO-7 cleanroom manufacturing space. Pat Chambliss, CEO of Nelipak, said: “This investment underscores our long-term commitment to customers in Latin America and the Caribbean, and reflects our strategy to provide global excellence with strong local support.”


Chip production At K2025, Polyvantis showed how its Plexiglas and Europlex Cyclic Olefin Copolymer (COC) films can be used to make microfluidic chips. Microfluidic lab-on-a-chip technology integrates


laboratory functions onto a single chip, enabling rapid analysis of small fluid volumes. To perform reliably, they require high optical clarity. “Microfluidics is transforming how the world


approaches diagnostics and healthcare, and our role is to make that transformation possible at scale,” said Ravi Menon, EVP at Polyvantis. Plexiglas films have high brilliance and UV


28 FILM & SHEET EXTRUSION | January/February 2026


fibres. It has a high strength-to-weight performance and meets stringent safety standards, including OSU (CS 25.853) and FST (FAR 25.853(d) + App.F Part IV). This makes it suitable for applications requiring compliance with rigorous fire, smoke, and toxicity regulations. It also offers good thermoformability, enabling


design freedom and efficient processing. Its lightweight properties support fuel efficiency and sustainability initiatives, while maintaining durability and reliability in demanding aviation environments.


Packaging advances TekniPlex Healthcare showcased its medical packaging at the recent MD&M West show in the US.


This included TekniMD PX, a recyclable material in the polyester 1 stream, engineered as an alternative to PETG for thermoformed medical device tray applications. The proprietary material is helping OEMs advance sustainability without compromising package integrity or manufacturing processability, said the company. It forms part of the company’s barrier protection systems portfolio that supports medical device packaging. TekniPlex also showcased its coating and


converting capabilities from its recently opened facility in Wisconsin, which includes coated Tyvek. The site features in-line slitting, as well as high- quality eight-colour printing with a flexographic press. “The most effective medical device packaging solutions are developed in collaboration with our customers,” said Bryan Wesselmann, senior vice president and general manager for barrier protection systems at TekniPlex. Prior to this – at the Pharmapack exhibition in


France – it showed its recently launched line of coextruded blown films and bags made at facility in Puurs, Belgium. These films and bags, produced in ISO Class 7 cleanrooms, offer oxygen barrier


www.filmandsheet.com


IMAGE: SABIC


Page 1  |  Page 2  |  Page 3  |  Page 4  |  Page 5  |  Page 6  |  Page 7  |  Page 8  |  Page 9  |  Page 10  |  Page 11  |  Page 12  |  Page 13  |  Page 14  |  Page 15  |  Page 16  |  Page 17  |  Page 18  |  Page 19  |  Page 20  |  Page 21  |  Page 22  |  Page 23  |  Page 24  |  Page 25  |  Page 26  |  Page 27  |  Page 28  |  Page 29  |  Page 30  |  Page 31  |  Page 32  |  Page 33  |  Page 34  |  Page 35  |  Page 36  |  Page 37  |  Page 38