Borealis and Borouge presence at CPhI Worldwide signals continuing commitment to global healthcare customers

Borealis and Borouge, leading providers of innovative, value-creating plastics solutions, announce their participation in this year’s CPhI Worldwide in Paris, France in October. Borealis’ Healthcare group within the New Business Development organisation will promote their Bormed™ concept with a focus on the recently-launched innovative specialty polypropylene (PP) grades, Bormed™ SC876CF and Bormed™ HJ875MO. The excellent functional properties of these two commercial grades further enhance the appeal of the Bormed polyethylene (PE) and PP grade range for the healthcare industry.

The Bormed Concept: innovating and evolving to anticipate healthcare needs

Following on the heels of the K Fair 2013 launch of Bormed™ SB815MO, this most recent expansion of the Bormed portfolio signals Borealis and Borouge’s continuing commitment to providing reliable and global supply, superior service and fulfilment of the most stringent conformance criteria in healthcare products. By combining cutting-edge technological expertise with insights gained through cooperation and feedback from the healthcare market, Borealis and Borouge have developed new Bormed grades accompanied by the dedicated Bormed support package and long-term security of supply.

Bormed SC876CF is a soft, yet tough PP with a flexural modulus of 330 MPa and a melting temperature of 149°C. This EU and US Pharmacopeia-compliant grade:

• Offers excellent thermal and optical stability during and after steam sterilisation cycle
• Provides excellent balance of high toughness at low temperature
• Allows for cost optimisation in polyolefin (PO) film and tubing formulation thanks to potentially significant reduction in the use of impact modifiers (e.g. SEBS)
• Safeguards performance and reliability of pharmaceutical packaging.

The main target applications of Bormed SC876CF are as components for the core layers in co-extruded film structures used in pharmaceutical primary packaging (IV bags, continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis pouch systems), secondary packaging and in films for medical device packaging. This new grade has already garnered extensive positive performance feedback from Borealis and Borouge customers around the world.

The recently-launched Bormed HJ875MO high-flow PP homopolymer has an MFR (melt flow rate) of 75 and offers good stiffness for moulding applications. Produced using cutting-edge Borealis Sirius Catalyst Technology and without animal derived additives, this EU and US Pharmacopeia-compliant grade is particularly suited for applications requiring low extractables and/or minimum interaction with filling substances such as Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) plates, multi-well titre plates, pipette tips and more.

As a step-change innovation in PP, Bormed SB815MO, will be showcased in the CPhI Innovation Gallery. The launch of this grade at last year’s K-Fair was a prime example of cooperation along the entire value chain, with processing and sterilisation trials carried out in collaboration with Blow-Fill-Seal (BFS) OEMs. When using this grade in BFS applications, the potential reduction in sterilisation time can help reduce the amount of energy consumed.

“We are very excited about the significance of the expanded Bormed portfolio for the Borouge Middle East and Asian markets,” states Ahmed Al Mehairi, Vice President Marketing Centre New Business Development, Borouge. “The Bormed concept reflects our commitment to providing truly global supply, service and conformance. We look forward to meeting with partners and customers at the CPhI to promote this exciting family of PP and PE grades.”

“We continue to expand our dedicated range of Bormed grades in order to offer our customers even more choice when it comes to functionality and reliability in healthcare applications,” explains Jane Toogood, Senior Vice President, New Business Development Borealis. “Our mission to innovate helps us remain at the forefront of healthcare trends.” 

Borealis and Borouge will be promoting the Bormed Concept and innovative new Bormed grades at the CPhI Worldwide, co-located with ICSE, P-MEC and InnoPack at the Paris Nord Villepinte from 7-9 October 2014 at hall 2, stand 2H37. Visit the Innovation Gallery at the event for more information on the step-change innovation Bormed SB815MO.

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For further information please contact:

Virginia Mesicek
External Communications Manager
Tel. +43 (0)1 22 400 772 (Vienna, Austria)
e-mail: virginia.mesicek@borealisgroup.com