Bluestar Silicones Delivers Custom Silicone Solutions for Antimicrobial Applications
Broad Material Offering Meets Healthcare Market's Need for Tailor-Made Products
ANAHEIM, Calif. - Bluestar Silicones' has launched a customized approach to the manufacture of antimicrobial silicone products which offers OEMs and processors tailored material solutions to meet specific healthcare application needs. Unlike competitive offerings that are "one size fits all," Bluestar Silicones is able to fine-tune its products and deliver materials that precisely fit the application without sacrificing performance. The company made the announcement at the Medical Design & Manufacturing (MD&M) West conference (Booth #2109) here Feb. 8-10.
"This material development initiative is strategic to our healthcare business," said Karen O'Keefe, North American healthcare market manager. "We've collaborated with our customers and made a significant investment in acquiring the experience and expertise to fill the unmet needs of the healthcare market."
Medical device makers are seeking new material solutions to inhibit bacterial growth and combat the increase in cases of hospital-borne infections. During a two-year research and development project, Bluestar Silicones examined a wide range of antimicrobial additives, both organic and inorganic, and assessed their impact on silicone materials. This body of knowledge enables the company to provide tailor-made antimicrobial products without a sacrifice in performance.
"We are not limited to one type of material; we have a broad material tool box," said Dr. Olga Hoy, PhD, senior scientist for Bluestar Silicones. "Based on a customer's needs, we can anticipate in advance and develop a customized formulation." The company said that by closely matching the antimicrobial additive with the silicone, core properties can be maintained while antimicrobial protection is added.
Bluestar Silicones offers a range of material solutions based on its Silbione® line of liquid silicone rubbers (LSRs), heat-cured rubbers (HCR), and reactive thermoplastic vulcanizates (RTVs). These antimicrobial silicone products are targeted for healthcare applications, including needle-less valves, IV construction, and catheters, as well as consumer goods applications, such as shoe inserts.
Bluestar Silicones is working closely with customers to develop customized products for commercial use.
About Bluestar Silicones
Bluestar Silicones is a Euros400 million worldwide silicones raw material manufacturer established in 2007 through China National Bluestar Corp.'s acquisition of Rhodia Silicones. The company is one of the world's leading fully integrated global silicones manufacturers with more than 50 years of silicone expertise. Bluestar has manufacturing operations throughout the world and combines upstream silicon metal operations and capacity with downstream silicone market and application development expertise. The company offers a comprehensive range of silicone products including release coatings, engineering elastomers, healthcare products, specialty fluids, emulsions, and resins. For more information, call (866) 474-6342 or visit www.bluestarsilicones.com.
