ATLANTA – Neenah, the Georgia-headquartered manufacturer of filtration media, speciality coatings and engineered nonwovens, is launching paper-based medical packaging capable of withstanding all three widely used sterilization processes – radiation, autoclave and ethylene oxide.
This will allow customers to serve multiple markets and explore new opportunities by providing an alternative to the polymer or kraft-based medical packaging traditionally used for nasal swabs, syringes, bandages and other single-use applications.
“By adding a radiation-resistant product to our medical packaging line-up, Neenah continues to lead the industry in offering the most advanced paper-based options available,” said Valerie Henderson, medical packaging product marketing manager for Neenah Industrial Solutions. “It is durable, dependable and value-driven.”
Single-use medical devices are gaining popularity as they help lower costs, increase efficiency and reduce the spread of infection. Gamma radiation is becoming a more commonly used form of sterilization technology for these devices which quickly kills germs that can cause disease and neutralises other harmful organisms. It is essential in the radiation sterilization process that the packaging has breathable barrier properties, excellent conformability, printability, and the ability to withstand radiation exposure to prevent risks to patients.
Neenah was the first to recognise the need for reinforced papers in breathable carrier applications and continues to lead the market. Available in a 116gsm basis weight, the new product rounds out a comprehensive medical packaging offering that currently includes standard 85 and 112gsm weight options and a new lighter-weight 72gsm grade introduced in 2021. The entire paper-based product offering uses FSC controlled fibres, is EN868 compliant, and accepts steam sterilization methods.
