October 16, 2013

Bormed™ SB815MO – a step change innovation in soft Polypropylene

Polypropylene (PP) product innovation to benefit healthcare value chain Borealis is extending its already comprehensive family of Bormed™ polypropylene (PP) and polyethylene (PE) materials specifically tailored to healthcare packaging applications with the launch of Bormed SB815MO.

Polypropylene (PP) product innovation to benefit healthcare value chain

Borealis, a leading provider of innovative solutions in the fields of polyolefins, base chemicals and fertilizers, is extending its already comprehensive family of Bormed™ polypropylene (PP) and polyethylene (PE) materials specifically tailored to healthcare packaging applications with the launch of Bormed SB815MO.

As a step change innovation in soft PP, Bormed SB815MO addresses some of the most pressing challenges in the healthcare industry today. Firstly, the material exhibits a new level of softness and is the softest PP grade yet within the Bormed portfolio. The use of the Borstar® technology also enables good transparency without the addition of clarifiers. Critically, Bormed SB815MO enables sterilisation at 121°C and therefore enables a reduction of sterilisation time. This offers significant advantages for those production processes in which terminal sterilisation has become the rate determining step (RDS). When compared to low density polyethelene (LDPE) that can be sterilised at 110°C, the sterilisation cycle may be completed in half the time. What is more, this is achieved with a material that is flexible enough to be easily self-collapsible without venting, thus avoiding contamination. Finally, quicker sterilisation times can potentially enhance sustainability, for example by extending the lifetime of autoclaves.

The launch of Bormed SB815MO is a prime example of co-operation along the entire value chain, from original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) to converters, from design groups to business partners. "By working together with our partners in the industry we have been able to better assess current needs and to fill important market gaps," explains Max Wachholder, Borealis Marketing Manager Healthcare. "In the case of Bormed SB815MO, sterilisation trials carried out jointly with a leading OEM, which demonstrated significant reductions in sterilisation times were vital to the success of the project. By finding new ways of doing things with our existing technologies, we are pushing the boundaries in order to create even more options for our customers. Our ultimate aim is to enable our partners to find the ideal grade, whatever the application."

Sterilisation trials were carried out in co-operation with Rommelag®, among other OEMs. According to Bernd Hansen from Rommelag, "We are always keen to innovate in order to improve our performance for our customers, and joint evaluation of theoretical results can often yield interesting insights. From what we have learned about Bormed SB815MO, we see this new grade as an excellent supplement in Blow-Fill-Seal applications."

As the latest addition to the Bormed family, Bormed SB815MO is aligned with the fundamentals of the Bormed Concept: commitment, service, and conformance. Borealis is committed to ensuring security of supply in the short and long term as well as higher stock levels and planning prioritisation. The dedicated and global team of specialists at Borealis – from R&D to technical support and sales – will continue their ongoing dialogue with the healthcare industry in order to better assess needs. Borealis' expanding range of products offers built-in regulatory compliance, dedicated production and quality control procedures.

Learn more about Bormed SB815MO and other PP developments currently in the pipeline at the Borealis stand at the K 2013 trade fair in Düsseldorf, Germany, Hall 6, Stand A43, from October 16-23, 2013.

END

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 

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About Borealis Healthcare

Borealis is a leading supplier of innovative products and solutions for the healthcare industry. With more than 30 years of experience, Borealis enables customers to meet their need for high-quality, lightweight and aesthetic products. Borealis focuses on high quality and a long-term commitment in facing today’s challenges through its portfolio of dedicated Bormed™ products. The Bormed™ portfolio is constantly growing and comprises polyolefins for medical devices, pharmaceuticals and diagnostic packaging with superior technical performance. Borealis ensures the security of its supply and provides technical support tailored to the specific and stringent requirements of the market.

About Borealis and Borouge

Borealis is a leading provider of innovative solutions in the fields of polyolefins, base chemicals and fertilizers. With headquarters in Vienna, Austria, Borealis currently employs around 6,200 and operates in over 120 countries. It generated EUR 7.5 billion in sales revenue in 2012. The International Petroleum Investment Company (IPIC) of Abu Dhabi owns 64% of the company, with the remaining 36% owned by OMV, the leading energy group in the European growth belt. Borealis provides services and products to customers around the world in collaboration with Borouge, a joint venture with the Abu Dhabi National Oil Company (ADNOC).

Building on the unique Borstar® and BorlinkTM technologies and 50 years of experience in polyolefins, Borealis and Borouge support key industries including infrastructure, automotive and advanced packaging. The Borouge plant expansion in Abu Dhabi will be fully operational by mid-2014 with a total annual capacity of 4.5 million tonnes. After this Borealis and Borouge will have approximately 8 million tonnes of polyolefin capacity.

Borealis offers a wide range of base chemicals, including melamine, phenol, acetone, ethylene and propylene servicing a wide range of industries. Together with Borouge the two companies will produce approximately 6 million tonnes of Base Chemicals in 2014.

Borealis also creates real value for the agricultural industry with a large portfolio of fertilizers. The company distributes approximately 2.1 million tonnes per year. This volume will increase to around 5 million tonnes by the end of 2014.

Borealis and Borouge aim to proactively benefit society by taking on real societal challenges and offering real solutions. Both companies are committed to the principles of Responsible Care®, an initiative to improve safety performance within the chemical industry, and contribute to solve the world's water and sanitation challenges through product innovation and their Water for the WorldTM programme.

For more information visit:
www.borealisgroup.com 
www.borouge.com
www.k2013-openyourmind.com
www.waterfortheworld.net

Borstar is a registered trademark of the Borealis Group.
Bormed, Borlink and Water for the World are trademarks of the Borealis Group.

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