Alpharetta, Ga., Feb. 9, 2016 - Solvay Specialty Polymers, a leading global supplier of high-performance materials, introduced Veradel® HC A-301 polyethersulfone (PESU) today. The medical-grade polymer retains transparency and stiffness at high temperatures and offers processing advantages over other commercial high-heat, transparent polymers.

Solvay's Veradel® HC A-301 PESU has been tested under ISO 10993 biocompatibility standards for cytotoxicity, irritation and acute systemic toxicity. It is the first PESU polymer for use in medical devices to offer a Master Access File (MAF) on record with the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). The material is expected to pass USP Class VI testing, making it an excellent candidate for use in biopharma processing applications. These well-documented compliance records can facilitate the design and regulatory application process for medical device OEMs, thereby accelerating product time to market.

Veradel® HC A-301 PESU complements Solvay's portfolio of transparent, sulfone-based polymers, including Radel® polyphenylsulfone (PPSU) and Udel® polysulfone (PSU), which have a long history of proven performance in advanced healthcare applications. Solvay's new healthcare-grade PESU offers heat resistance that is on par with Radel® PPSU; and its high flow rate makes it particularly suited for injection molding thin-walled parts and components with complex geometries. Its stiffness is the highest of all medical-grade sulfone polymers.

Veradel® HC A-301 PESU is a viable alternative to polyetherimide (PEI) as it exhibits properties similar to those of PEI for strength, transparency, dimensional stability, inherent flame resistance and compatibility with steam sterilization and chemical sterilants. Veradel® HC A-301 PESU's lower inherent color and higher flow rate may prove advantageous in some applications.

'The healthcare market's continuing fast-paced growth has strained both the supply and performance limits of competitive polymer chemistries,' said Jeff Hrivnak, global business development manager for Healthcare at Solvay Specialty Polymers. 'Yet Solvay remains ahead of the industry curve. With the introduction of Veradel® HC A-301 PESU, we can now offer customers more options for MAF-supported polymers for medical device applications.'

Target applications for Veradel® HC A-301 PESU include housings and internal structural components for medical diagnostic equipment, monitoring and filtration devices, and biopharma processing applications such as sight windows and quick-connects. The material is currently available worldwide for sampling in healthcare applications.

Solvay Specialty Polymers' experience as a reliable materials supplier in the healthcare field spans more than 25 years. The company is a leading manufacturer of healthcare plastics, offering a broad range of high-performance, medical-grade plastics for orthopedics, sterilization cases and trays, medical and dental devices, as well as filtration media and housings for hemodialysis and water purification membranes. Solvay also offers a family of Solviva® Biomaterials for use in a range of implantable devices.


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Solvay SA issued this content on 09 February 2016 and is solely responsible for the information contained herein. Distributed by Public, unedited and unaltered, on 09 February 2016 17:08:04 UTC

Original Document: http://www.solvay.com/en/media/press_releases/20160209-Solvay-Introduces-Veradel-HC-A-301.html