In the past, PVC was the material used in medical grade film due to the many custom formulations and emboss patterns available. Today, however, the healthcare industry increasingly demands a choice of non-PVC films as well. Presco has responded. Let’s take a look at Presco’s wide-ranging capabilities in medical grade films.

At Presco, our mission is to supply the medical and healthcare market with as many film options as possible. For example, PVC film can be laminated to a non-woven fabric to create a soft skin contact film for use in blood pressure cuffs and DVT sleeves. We also offer PVC/TPU (Thermoplastic Polyurethane) film blends. TPU plastics have many desirable properties including elasticity, transparency, as well as resistance to oil, grease, and abrasion, making them suitable for inflatable products like mattresses or cushions.

Presco also offers many plasticizer options for PVC film to soften and increase the flexibility of the brittle PVC polymer. Plasticizers include DEHP (Di(2-ethylhexyl)phthalate) as well as non-phthalates. Products that may contain plasticized PVC include bags for IV drips, blood, peritoneal dialysis, and enteral nutrition feeding, as well as tubing for umbilical artery catheters, infusions, and cardiopulmonary bypass procedures.

Regulatory concerns in some medical segments led to the desire for medical film that doesn’t contain PVC. That’s why Presco developed manufacturing capabilities to extrude Pres-Flex EVA (Ethylene Vinyl Acetate). EVA is a member of the polyolefin family, meaning it’s plasticizer-free, unlike PVC. Non-PVC films are highly specialized and are not widely available. EVA film extrusion is a new capability for Presco and marks the first PVC-free manufacturing capability for Pres-Flex Engineered Film. Pres-Flex EVA film is available in multiple emboss patterns such as matte, taffeta, or a smooth suede.

Presco has polymer chemists on staff, as well as a full R&D lab, making it possible to customize formulations and compound films to meet your specific film needs. We offer in-house blending and compounding systems, various in-line emboss rolls, and off-line slitting capabilities down to 1″ width to satisfy your unique specifications. We also have the ability for in-line lamination, which uses heat and pressure as opposed to adhesives.

As the market matures and shifts, there is a need to offer a wide range of medical films. These materials also must meet regulatory compliance relating to non-DEHP films. You can feel confident partnering with Presco for our deep industry knowledge and extensive expertise in a variety of medical films, including PVC, TPU, EVA, and many other customized variations. Our capabilities give you options, so you can work with one supplier for all your medical film needs.

Read more at pres-flex.com