SABIC highlighted the needs of the hygiene and healthcare industry at K 2022 with a broad exhibit of differentiated material solutions, application samples targeting improved functionality, sustainability, safety, design, cost, patient and consumer convenience.

A growing global population is creating a rising demand for healthcare and hygiene products that require innovative material solutions. This coincides with higher rates of obesity and other illnesses, and an increased awareness for healthcare associated infections (HCAI) and tighter governmental regulations for consumer protection.

Key materials in focus at SABIC’s exhibit during the show included the company’s PURECARES polypropylene (PP) solutions for hygiene and medical nonwoven applications, as well as different types of polyethylene (PE) resins for film and laminates in the hygiene market.

SABIC’s healthcare offering includes SABIC PCG – Pharmacopoeia grade polyolefins such as polypropylene and polyethylene along with a broad portfolio of engineered thermoplastics such as LEXAN HP PC, CYCOLOY HC ABS/PC, CYCOLAC HM ABS, VALOX HX PBT, XENOY HX PC/PBT and XYLEX HX PC/PET. This portfolio is offered with SABIC’s Health Care Product Policy that includes pre-assessment for biocompatibility (ISO 10993, USP Class VI, European Pharmacopoeia – EP), food contact compliance, formulation lock and management of change process to help customers develop healthcare applications.

SABIC’s TRUCIRCLE portfolio includes certified circular and renewable polymers to help customers meet sustainability goals.

Solutions in the spotlight at SABIC’s booth are focused on five key application areas:

Patient care

In this segment, SABIC addresses the need for portable technologies, reduction of HCAI, and regulatory compliance. SABIC’s healthcare portfolio offers enhanced chemical resistance to variety of disinfectants, cleaners, lipids and IV solutions for reducing HCAI. 

Diagnosis

SABIC’s material solutions for diagnosis of patient samples, as well as for pharmaceutical and Bio-pharmaceutical research, offer clarity for visual inspection along with durability, impact resistance, sterilisability, chemical resistance and biocompatibility. Applications range from disposable vials and containers for sample collection, to hand-held instruments, such as pipettors for sample preparation, to clinical diagnostic equipment for rapid processing/evaluation of multiple samples.

The portfolio also includes a comprehensive range of SABIC PCG PE and PP grades in full compliance with European Pharmacopeia monograph 3.1.4 and USP IV. Some most recent application examples are shatter-resistant test and blood collection tubes, measuring/dosage cups, and syringe barrels.

Prevention

Wearable products designed to prevent people from acquiring infections and taking care of their personal hygiene require safe and pure materials for nonwovens with advanced functionality and best comfort, while incorporating care for the environmental impact. Examples on display at K 2022:

• Single-use facemasks: 
• Absorbent hygiene film for sanitary pads, panty liners, towels and diapers in feminine, baby and incontinence care as well as disposable medical applications. 
• Nonwovens

Self-medication

An increasingly urban society of health conscious, knowledgeable and empowered consumers has created a growing market and demand for self-medication products and self-care devices. SABIC’s portfolio of health-grade and PCG polymer solutions enables manufacturers to implement miniature design concepts and optimise the user-friendliness of devices. These devices and equipment allow connectivity to enable remote patient monitoring. They are portable and durable enough to be worn on a patient's body for continuous monitoring.

Protection

Frontline workers in medical care require reliable protective personal equipment, and surfaces in healthcare facilities must be effectively protected against the hazards of infections as well as fires – all while at the same time ensuring high durability and ease of maintenance. LEXAN Sheet and film products from SABIC’s Functional Forms business offer advanced materials to address these challenges.

• LEXAN CLINIWALL sheet: A range of impact, scratch and wear resistant sheet products for interior wall claddings in compliance with fire safety according to EN 135051-1. 
• LEXAN HP92AF anti-fog film: After identifying a gap in the market when it comes to protecting frontline workers against the Covid pathogen, SABIC developed a special LEXAN anti-fog film for visors, safety goggles, medical instrument lenses and displays.