Extrusion International 6-2024-USA

25 Extrusion International 6/2024 NewMedical Grade Thermoplastic Elastomers (TPEs) Introduced Teknor Apex announced the ex- pansion of its medical-grade ther- moplastic elastomer (TPE) portfolio with new grades specifically de - signed for biopharmaceutical tub- ing applications. Medical device manufacturers choose thermoplas- tic elastomers (TPEs) for applications that require flexibility or rubber-like elasticity. They turn to Teknor Apex to deliver high quality, regulatory- compliant Medalist ® TPEs with a proven track record. Teknor Apex is celebrating its 100th year in 2024. The family-owned company continues to innovate and deliver solutions to meet the evolv- ing needs of the healthcare market. These innovative Medalist ® Series are tailored to address the unique chal- lenges associated with the continu- ous processing of biopharmaceuticals through roller pumps. Teknor Apex’s new Medalist ® TPE grades offer a compelling combina- tion of performance benefits, in - cluding: • Enhanced Clarity: Improved transparency for visual inspection of fluid flow and potential particle contamination. • Reduced Spallation: Minimized material loss and contamination risks during extended pump opera- tion. • Extended Pump Life: Increased durability and longevity of tubing, reducing maintenance require- ments and downtime. These advancedmaterials are ideal for a wide range of biopharmaceuti- cal applications including single-use systems, bioreactors, filtration sys - tems and fluid transfer lines. Teknor Apex Gruppe www.teknorapex.com Medalist® MD-90000 Series Thermoplastic Elastomers were uniquely designed to address spallation issues with existing products in pump segment tubing applications First 7,5 Million Drinking Straws in the US to be Made of Compostable Material from Biomaterials American sustainable serviceware producer Evanesce is just about to start producing the first 7.5 million drinking straws made from Biodolomer, a com- postable material based on limestone. Biodolomer is developed and manufac- tured in Sweden by Gaia Biomaterials. “The US market is 500 million straws – per day, and we offer a material that gives the feeling that customers want. The potential is enormous,” says Gaia Biomaterials CEO Peter Stenström. “We offer a compostable material that gives the customer the experience and feeling they want from a drinking straw. And no taste of paper!” says Peter Stenström The straws will be produced by Evanesce – a leading force in the American transition away from disposable plastic service ware, focusing on compostable alter- natives. At the company’s South Carolina production facility, extensive trials have been conducted with the Swedish limestone-based Biodolomer material. Now, production of the first batch of some 7.5 million straws is about to start. “There is a strong demand from con- sumers and brands for affordable, sus- tainable solutions,“ says Douglas Horne, CEO of Evanesce. “Out of the materials we have tested, Biodolomer is the only one that has lived up to our quality expec- tations while also being a competitively priced premium product.” Biodolomer is developed and manufac- tured by Gai Bioomaterials in Sweden. It is certified for industrial composting by both BPI in the US and DinCertco in Eu- rope and has received FDA authorization for the safe use of food-contact substanc- es. It leaves no micro plastics during com- posting process. ”We are convinced that the new straws will make even more companies choose a solution that allows their customers to enjoy their favourite beverages with- out being left with a bad aftertaste in their mouth; both literally and figuratively,” concludes Peter Stenström. GAIA Biomaterials www.gaiabiomaterials.com