Dow Chemical Co.'s Health+ portfolio is allowing the firm to meet the challenges of the medical market.
A wide range of high and low density polyethylene, as well as specialty resins made by Midland, Mich.-based Dow, "has established a strong profile of providing solutions in the medical space," North America health and hygiene market manager Kiesha Jones said in an email to Plastics News.
"This exclusive line of polymers offers customers in the medical device and equipment industry the important assurances of quality and compliance," she added. The materials offer to lot-to-lot quality and consistency and have been certified in accordance with requirements for medical device and equipment packaging, Jones said.
Dow's focus on the medical market is in response to aging population growth and increased life expectancy. Between 2015 and 2030, the population of middle-aged and older adults will rise at the fastest rates, officials said.
Dow's materials can be used in medical applications such as drug delivery systems, IV systems, rigid and flexible medical packaging, drapes and gowns and bioprocessing films.
Earlier this year, Dow launched Aspun MB-brand melt-blown fiber resins. Those materials are a patent-pending family of PE resins made using Dow's Insite-brand technology.
Jones said that Aspun MB materials are "an ideal solution" for nonwovens in applications like medical drapes and gowns as well as hygiene absorbent products and other industrial applications. The resins address the challenges of increasing softness and comfort while maintaining strength, durability and processing efficiency in fabrics, she added.