TOPAS Advanced Polymers to Highlight Expanding End-Use Applications for Cyclic Olefin Copolymers (COC) at K 2016
FLORENCE, Ky. – TOPAS Advanced Polymers will focus on the expanded adoption of cyclic olefin copolymers (COC) in a broad range of end-use applications at the K 2016 exhibition, which runs Oct. 19-26, in Düsseldorf, Germany. In Hall 7A/B02, TOPAS will discuss its highly successful application development work in key markets such as healthcare, packaging, optics, and electronics.
The unique performance profile of TOPAS® COC continues to find strong appeal in the healthcare industry (drug delivery and blisters/trays) and diagnostics (POC/PCR/microfluidics). In addition, TOPAS COC has been identified as a highly effective alternative to Barex® polyacrylonitrile (PAN) in a wide range of pharmaceutical packages such as medicinal pouches and patches and other applications such as food and cosmetics that require strong chemical resistance and adsorption.
“We continue to work closely with OEMs and processors on new solutions to create next-generation products,” said Timothy Kneale, president of TOPAS Advanced Polymers. “The unique attributes of TOPAS COC - purity, drug compatibility, transparency, biocompatibility, and dimensional stability – are finding their way into demanding, high-performance end uses.”
Kneale noted that TOPAS COC resins are being employed in wearable drug delivery devices for medications such as insulin and pain medicines. TOPAS works closely with processors and OEMs in the production of parts with complex geometries and tight tolerances. The material enables consistent, reproducible dosing and facilitates miniaturization of drug delivery systems.
In diagnostic products such as microfluidics and microplates, TOPAS COC delivers superior chemical resistance and UV transparency compared to competitive thermoplastics like polystyrene (PS) and polypropylene (PP), while being much easier to manufacture in volume via simple injection molding compared to alternatives like glass and silicones. With the exceptional (92%) clarity and mold detail of TOPAS COC, well counts are maximized, flow channels can be incorporated, and analyses are optimized. Due to its ultra-high purity, TOPAS COC has lower leachables and extractables than competing materials, resulting in the most reliable and repeatable results. The inert nature of the material prevents interference with reactions and analyses. Other important features include the best available UV transparency of any plastic, heat resistance suitable for PCR or sterilization, and low autofluorescence.
As a commercial alternative to Barex® PAN in pharmaceutical packages, Kneale says “PAN and COC come from the opposite ends of the polymer spectrum but they offer similar properties when it comes to barrier/permeation performance and strong chemical resistance.” While not a 1-for-1 replacement for PAN, COC delivers effective chemical resistance and low adsorption rates with medical-grade chemical contents such as nicotine for patches. COC’s adsorption of nicotine is less than that of PETG and ethylene vinyl alcohol (EVOH). TOPAS’ converter customers have developed innovative nicotine patch packaging solutions utilizing COC for the transdermal industry.
Packaging processors and end users value the shrink, thermoforming, dead-fold, heat resistance, moisture barrier, and easy-opening characteristics of films incorporating TOPAS COC. Key applications include shrink labels and films, easy tear packaging, formed or gas-filled protective packaging, cellophane-like twist films, and cosmetics and bottles. By using TOPAS COC, processors create high-performance multilayer films that can be reprocessed and recycled as polyolefins, rather than a low-value mixed blend as is common with many coextruded or laminated materials.
In optical components, TOPAS COC is closer to glass than any other polymer. Lightweight, brilliant displays rely on the performance of TOPAS COC. The high-clarity, high-flow polymer has a proven record in light guides, automotive heads-up displays (HUDs) and sensor lenses, and touch screens (ITO film). In electronics, COC’s heat resistance, moisture insensitivity, light weight, and dielectric performance make it attractive for advanced electronic design in mobile device antennas, as well as high-performance capacitors.
About TOPAS Advanced Polymers                                                                                            Â
TOPAS Advanced Polymers is the world’s leading maker of cyclic olefin copolymer (COC), a glass-clear and incredibly pure plastic for healthcare, optics, packaging, and electronics applications. From insulin delivery, to food contact films, to tablet and smartphone displays, TOPAS COC is the high-performance material of choice. The broad global regulatory compliance of TOPAS COC can make your next development a simpler task. Learn more at www.topas.com.
TOPAS® is a registered trademark of TOPAS Advanced Polymers for its family of cyclic olefin copolymer resins.
