Covestro Begins Domestic Production of Medical-Grade TPU in Asia Pacific

Covestro has begun production of its new Desmopan® Rx medical-grade Thermoplastic Polyurethane (TPU) at its Changhua facility in Taiwan, which was recently qualified for medical-grade TPU manufacturing. As Covestro's second plant worldwide—after New Martinsville in North America—qualified to make medical-grade TPU, the Changhua location localised production of these high-quality materials in Asia Pacific, allowing for more flexible and efficient regional supply to meet rising demand.

"With rising global healthcare standards and an ageing population, we're seeing an increase in demand for medical-grade TPU solutions." "With our Changhua site, we can now provide such materials to customers with shorter lead times and improved supply security," says Kevin Ho, Covestro's Head of Sales and Market Development TPU Asia Pacific. "By leveraging our Zhuhai production site and the new application development centre in Guangzhou, we are enhancing regional synergies to support our customers with high-performance, globally compliant TPU solutions."

The new Desmopan® Rx grades, manufactured at the Changhua plant using Good Manufacturing Practice (GMP) methods, are designed to meet demanding international medical application criteria while minimising contamination concerns. The materials are tested for biocompatibility using ISO 10993 and China's YY/T 1557 requirements for TPU used in infusion, transfusion, and injection equipment. They are free of additional plasticisers, have low extractables, and can be sterilised several times.

"Our Desmopan® Rx grades meet established industry requirements for medical applications," says Dr. Frank Yang, Head of Asia-Pacific Innovation TPU at Covestro. "We're committed to ensuring product safety and regulatory compliance while helping customers across Asia Pacific unlock greater value in regulated medical markets."

Desmopan® Rx grades are designed exclusively for medical device components like thin-walled flexible tubing, catheters, connections, component housings, endoscopes, healthcare devices, and wearables. Desmopan® Rx tubing is suitable for a variety of clinical applications, including surgical operations, haemodialysis, drug delivery systems, and wound care.

Furthermore, Desmopan® Rx grades are ideal for medical nonwoven applications because they are compatible with melt-blown procedures. Nonwovens created from these grades combine functional performance with medical waste compliance, making them perfect for surgical drapes, wound dressings, gowns, sterile packaging, and protective gear.

Source: Covestro AG