Sabic Ultem Hu Resins, A Highlight At Md&M West 2024, Can Help Ease Transition From Eto Sterilization

Sabic Ultem Hu Resins, A Highlight At Md&M West 2024, Can Help Ease Transition From Eto Sterilization

SABIC, a global leader in the chemical industry, will highlight at MD&M West 2024 in Booth its versatile and durable ULTEM HU resins, which can help medical device manufacturers choose alternatives to ethylene oxide (EtO) sterilization. Demand is growing for materials compatible with other sterilization methods in anticipation of a new ruling by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) that may reduce EtO emissions from commercial sterilization facilities. ULTEM HU resins are stable across many popular sterilization processes, providing the potential for multiple use options. These resins can also withstand multiple sterilization cycles. Their excellent retention of strength and color can help reduce breakage and discoloration, thereby potentially extending the useful life of applications made with these materials.

“Increasingly stringent environmental regulations are challenging the medical device industry to find materials that support compliance,” said Maureen MacDonald-Stein, director, Portfolio Strategy and Marketing, SABIC’s Specialties business. “SABIC’s knowledgeable team of industry experts and our ongoing innovation help enable the proactive development of material solutions to address these types of challenges. In the case of upcoming reductions in EtO emissions, we offer specialty thermoplastics that help device makers to smoothly transition to other sterilization methods without impacting key material properties.”

At MD&M West 2024, SABIC will give a presentation on this topic, titled “How thermoplastic material selection impacts durability and sterilization of medical devices.” The talk, given by Paul Nugent, SABIC’s senior business manager, will take place on Wednesday, February 7 at 3:30 p.m. PST in Design Alley. It will cover properties and performance data for ULTEM HU resins compared to those of polyphenylsulfone (PPSU) resin before and after sterilization, and application case studies.

Providing Alternatives to EtO Sterilization

Ethylene oxide gas is a human carcinogen, and long-term exposure can lead to harmful effects. Therefore, on April 11, 2023, the EPA issued a proposal to significantly strengthen and update Clean Air Act standards for EtO emitted from commercial sterilizing facilities. The proposed rule would reduce EtO emissions by an estimated 80 percent.

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