Foster Corporation Appointed Distributor of United Soft Plastics’ Thermoplastic Elastomers for Healthcare Markets
PUTNAM, CT USA - (October 30, 2017) - Foster Corporation, a leader in medical and pharmaceutical material solutions, has been appointed the exclusive distributor of United Soft Plastics’ (USP) Unisoft™ stryrenic block copolymers for the North American healthcare markets. Effective November 1, 2017, Foster Corporation will provide sales, technical and order fulfillment support to customers from their regional stocking facilities in Nevada and Connecticut.
Styrenic block copolymers are thermoplastic elastomers comprised of rigid styrenic and flexible elastomer molecular chain segments. A wide variety of grades, with unique flexibility and strength properties, can be achieved through modification of the styrene/elastomer segment ratios. As a result, styrenic block copolymers are used in many medical applications, including catheter tubing, tourniquets, medical bags and syringe gaskets.
USP Unisoft™ styrenic block copolymers are latex and plasticizer free, and resistant to gamma and ethylene oxide (EtO) sterilization. Standard grades include transparent and translucent options, and can be custom pigmented for a range of vibrant colors. Specialty grades are available for enhanced overmolding adhesion on grips and handles, reduced compression set for gaskets and seals, and lipid resistance.
“The addition of USP styrene block copolymers expands our portfolio of performance and value solutions to healthcare customers,” said Larry Johnson, Executive Vice President of Foster Corporation. “USP has selected us as an exclusive distributor due to our unique focus on medical customers from new product development through production. Accordingly, we intend to offer Unisoft™ grades in 25 kg (55 lb.) through truckload quantities.”
For more information about United Soft Polymers and styrene block copolymers for healthcare applications please visit www.fosterpolymers.com.
About United Soft Plastics
Headquartered in Lawrenceville, GA, USP offers production capacity of more than 7,000 metric tons (1.5 million pounds) and over 2,100 different soft polymer formulations from 7 unique product lines. USP serves customers in over 22 countries around the world from a single facility built in 2002 with state-of-the-art production equipment and the latest building and safety standards. For more information, visit www.unitedsoftplastics.com.
