LOTTE Chemical uses BASF's Irgastab® (a non-discoloring plastic processing stabilizer) to produce medical polypropylene (PP). As the global new crown vaccination work is in full swing, the demand for syringes has also increased exponentially, and medical grade polypropylene (PP) is the raw material for manufacturing syringes.
LOTTE Chemical`s medical polypropylene has been used to produce LDS (low dead space) syringes developed by a Korean medical syringe manufacturer. This special syringe is designed to minimize the amount of drug remaining in the needle tube after injection, thereby reducing the waste of vaccine. It is expected that after the use of LDS syringes, the number of people vaccinated under the same vaccine dose can increase by 20%. Therefore, there is a huge demand for LDS syringes worldwide.
Medical plastics need to be sterilized, which often leads to degradation and discoloration of the polymer. Hermann Althoff, Senior Vice President of BASF Performance Chemicals, Asia Pacific, explained: "Irgastab® helps ensure that medical polypropylene is safe and suitable for use. As a processing stabilizer, it can prevent polypropylene from being granulated and injection molded. Discoloration occurs, which is critical for LDS syringes, because medical-grade materials need to be certified for high transparency."
With the development of vaccination work, the demand for syringes will increase explosively. In this regard, Lotte Chemical is expanding the development of special polypropylene materials to ensure strict control of the production quality of medical materials including high-transparency polypropylene. It satisfies the growing demands in the medical and safety fields.
Dr. Kang Kyung-Bo, head of LOTTE Chemical`s R&D Center, said: “LOTTE Chemical has a leading market position in the field of medical polypropylene. We are willing to join hands with BASF to lead and develop this market. In view of the color retention and transparency of Irgastab® In terms of outstanding performance, we are evaluating the possibility of expanding the use of Irgastab® to fibers and sheets."
Many medical products such as plastic syringes serve human health and safety, and health and safety are one of the key pillars for human beings to achieve a sustainable future. Irgastab® also has advantages in terms of sustainability: Compared with other plastic additive solutions, Irgastab® can protect plastics at a lower concentration in sensitive applications, which is more conducive to the protection of the environment and resources.