New Medical-Grade Polycarbonate from Bayer MaterialScience Fulfills Medical Device OEMs’ Flow Requirements

Pittsburgh, PA, February 21, 2013 --(PR.com)-- Medical device original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) are constantly faced with challenges requiring higher productivity and getting their devices to healthcare providers more quickly.

To meet these requirements, Bayer MaterialScience LLC developed a clear, high-flow polycarbonate, Makrolon® Rx2440, which offers a faster recovery time in color shift. The medical-grade polycarbonate may be sterilized with high-energy radiation (gamma or e-beam) and ETO, and is suitable for applications requiring biocompatibility that meets ISO 10993-1 and USP Class VI.

“With its outstanding combination of rigidity, toughness, high flow, and unique color-recovery after irradiation, Makrolon Rx2440 polycarbonate addresses two simultaneous trends – designers taking advantage of polycarbonate’s high stiffness to design thinner walls and molders requiring ever-more productivity. With increasingly rapid supply chains today, this new resin hits all the challenges,” said Bruce Fine, market segment leader, Medical and Consumer Products – Polycarbonates, Bayer MaterialScience LLC.

“We developed this medical-grade polycarbonate specifically for customers who sterilize their devices by radiation in oxygen-free environments, where competitive polycarbonate resins can take longer to achieve their final post-radiation color,” he continued.

Like all of Bayer’s medical Makrolon grades, Rx2440 can be used in a variety of medical device applications, such as IV access, respiratory, surgical, renal care and other areas. It is the latest addition to Bayer’s broad portfolio of materials that designers and OEMs have come to rely upon, depending on the requirements of their medical and healthcare applications.

For more than 50 years, medical device OEMs and the healthcare market have utilized Makrolon polycarbonate and the technical expertise of Bayer MaterialScience. It’s a track record that dates back to the 1960s, when Makrolon polycarbonate was selected for use in the first blood oxygenators and renal dialyzers.

About Bayer MaterialScience LLC:
Bayer MaterialScience LLC is one of the leading producers of polymers and high-performance plastics in North America and is part of the global Bayer MaterialScience business with approximately 14,800 employees at 30 production sites around the world and 2011 sales of 10.8 billion euros. Bayer MaterialScience’s 2011 sales in North America were $2.9 billion. The company manufactures high-tech polymer materials and develops innovative solutions for products used in many areas of daily life. The main segments served are the automotive, electrical and electronics, construction, medical, and sports and leisure industries. Sustainability is central to Bayer MaterialScience LLC’s business and is based around the key areas of innovation, product stewardship, excellence in corporate management, social responsibility and respect for the environment.

Contact:
John Skabardonis, Phone: 412-777-5200
Email: john.skabardonis@bayer.com

For more information about Bayer MaterialScience's material technology for medical applications, call 1-800-662-2927, email medicalinfo@bayer.com or visit www.bmsnafta.com.

Forward-Looking Statements
This news release may contain forward-looking statements based on current assumptions and forecasts made by Bayer Group or subgroup management. Various known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors could lead to material differences between the actual future results, financial situation, development or performance of the company and the estimates given here. These factors include those discussed in Bayer’s public reports which are available on the Bayer website at www.bayer.com. The company assumes no liability whatsoever to update these forward-looking statements or to conform them to future events or developments.

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