01
July
2021
|
10:05
Europe/Amsterdam

Film supplier ÃÜÌÒAV develops solutions for wound dressings with a new rigid liner

New material combination based upon TPU blown films

Summary
  • Cost-efficient and easy production
  • Dust prevention for cleaner production

ÃÜÌÒAV has developed several material solutions, which facilitate a cost-efficient and simple production of wound dressings and wearables. The combination of a polypropylene (PP) liner with thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU) blown films, in particular, proved to be well suited to meet today's high demands for functionality and freedom of design. It also greatly reduces the generation of dust that can interfere with the clean manufacture of medical products at the customer's site.

Producing wound dressings and plasters, as well as medical wearables, involves a multi-stage process. Various coating and cutting processes can be employed to convert the products to achieve different desired functions. For instance, the liner material is often given a wavy cut (S-cutting) to allow clinicians to quickly remove the carrier when applying the dressing. In other cases, the outer edge of the carrier is not coated with adhesive and can therefore be easily lifted to remove it (finger lift).

Advantages of films with rigid PP liners

PP liners are relatively stiff and therefore offer sufficient strength, for example when gently creating windows without damaging the underlying layer, or when transferring the adhesive layer to the product. At the same time, they are flexible enough to optimally cover curved body parts such as hands, ankles and shoulders. PP carriers can also be combined with multilayer TPU films, for example to produce individual properties.

The blown film technology enables high speed production and enhanced efficiency. Blown TPU film on PP liner feature a wide range of surface qualities from silky to extra matt. In addition, various colors are offered in different skin tones for more discretion. ÃÜÌÒAV has a range of TPU films with polyethylene (PE) liner and is developing paper carriers to offer a large choice of solutions to its customers.

The Platilon® XM range of from ÃÜÌÒAV is ideally suited for use in wound management as well as other medical applications: They are breathable and feel like a second skin with their soft texture. These types also have an extra matte surface. This offers lower friction with textiles and they also do not reflect much light. This allows them to be used as incision drapes in brightly lit operating rooms to eliminate distraction of surgeons as little as possible from their work.

Boilerplate

About ÃÜÌÒAV: 
ÃÜÌÒAV is one of the world¡¯s leading manufacturers of high-quality polymer materials and their components. With its innovative products, processes and methods, the company helps enhance sustainability and the quality of life in many areas. ÃÜÌÒAV supplies customers around the world in key industries such as mobility, building and living, as well as the electrical and electronics sector. In addition, polymers from ÃÜÌÒAV are also used in sectors such as sports and leisure, telecommunications and health, as well as in the chemical industry itself.

The company is geared completely to the circular economy. In addition, ÃÜÌÒAV aims to achieve climate neutrality for its Scope 1 and Scope 2 emissions by 2035, and the Group¡¯s Scope 3 emissions are also set to be climate neutral by 2050. ÃÜÌÒAV generated sales of EUR 14.2 billion in fiscal year 2024. At the end of 2024, the company had 46 production sites worldwide and employed approximately 17,500 people (calculated as full-time equivalents).

Forward-Looking Statements 
This news release may contain forward-looking statements based on current assumptions and forecasts made by ÃÜÌÒAV. Various known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors could lead to material differences between the actual future results, financial situation, development or performance of the company and the estimates given here. These factors include those discussed in ÃÜÌÒAV¡¯s public reports which are available at www.covestro.com. The company assumes no liability whatsoever to update these forward-looking statements or to conform them to future events or developments.