Animal-Free Polypropylene
Value Plastics is pleased to announce the availability of our fittings and connectors in animal-free polypropylene. Polypropylene is by far the most widely used resin for flexible tube fittings in the biopharmaceutical industry. The new animal-free polypropylene significantly reduces our customers’ BSE-related paperwork by completely eliminating the documentation requirement for fittings made with this material.
Since the first reported outbreak of BSE (bovine spongiform encephalopathy or “mad cow disease”) in the United Kingdom, suppliers of healthcare products, in conjunction with global healthcare agencies, have diligently worked to reduce the threat of this serious disease. BSE is a progressive neurological disorder of cattle that can be transmitted to humans. Worldwide healthcare agencies have recommended a number of steps to reduce the risk of BSE to humans including documenting that those products containing animal derivatives only use material from BSE-free countries. Plastic products commonly use beef tallow as a lubricant in the manufacturing process and tracking all of them to their source can require a significant expense for a medical device and biopharmaceutical manufacturer.
The new animal-free polypropylene is in addition to Value Plastics’ extensive line of animal-free PVDF and polycarbonate fittings and connectors for the medical device and biopharmaceutical industry, including the 600 Series line of large connectors. All animal-free and 600 Series products are Class VI certified and suitable for gamma sterilization.
For more information on the implications of Mad Cow disease to medical products, see the editorial “The Curse of the Mad Cow” at http://www.devicelink.com/mpmn/archive/06/04/005.html.
Free samples can be obtained by calling Value Plastics Inside Sales at 970-267-5200 (toll-free in U.S.A. at 888-404-5837) or by completing an online request at http://www.valueplastics.com/contact/contactUs.aspx