Rubber Journal Asia Silicones
Breakthroughs in medical-grade silicones at full speed As a result, this elastomer is being used extensively by leading industry players in the development of cutting-edge medical equipment such as dental instruments, prosthetics, pacemakers, and other drug delivery devices. With the increasing preference for medical-grade silicones, the market is set to grow exponentially. According to Global Industry Analyst audit, the market is expected to reach US$1.8 billion by 2027, up from an estimated US$1.3 billion in 2020. Furthermore, silicones are widely used in the personal care, consumer products, construction, and electronics industries, fuelling the growth of the global silicone market. Liquid silicone rubber (LSR), a popular material for single-use device parts, is ideal for sealing membranes, electric connectors, seals, and other medical applications due to its high microbiological and chemical resistance, good transparency, gas permeability, clarity, elongation feature, superior dielectric strength, and other material properties. Concurrently, materials with additional qualities are increasing appeal in application development, in tandem with the rising use of silicone in these major industries. New techniques and technologies are also being developed to improve silicone functionality while also providing productivity and energy efficiency benefits to producers.
To address the need for important medical
devices, new silicone technologies are being developed and made available, according to Angelica Buan.
Growth expected for silicone elastomers As with all global elastomer markets, the silicone elastomers market also suffered a serious setback since the beginning of 2020. However, unlike other elastomer markets, the silicone elastomer market is rebounding rapidly, despite (or more importantly because of) the Covid-19 pandemic, says research firm Smithers in its latest report titled “The Future of Silicone Elastomers to 2026”. The silicone elastomers global market was 415,000 tonnes in 2016, and increased at a CAGR of 6.15% to 496,000 tonnes in 2019. Due to Covid-19, the global market is estimated to have fallen to 421,000 tonnes in 2020, but expected to grow to 556,000 tonnes in 2026, at a CAGR of 5.1%. While transportation is the largest end-use sector, with 27.7% of the market in 2020; and forecast to increase to 28.1% in 2026, the medical sector is expected to buoy demand. This is because the advent of Covid-19 has seriously challenged the market for silicone elastomers, presenting positive opportunities in medical and automotive applications, but a reduction in other markets, adds Smithers. Besides being used as replacements for some thermoplastic elastomers, silicones are also expected to see heightened demand for use in medical applications; automotive under-the-bonnet applications and as a support medium for flexible solar panels, the report adds.
Antifungal silicones to curb infections Antiviral agents, in addition to disinfecting surfaces, play an important role in preventing disease transmission. Taiwanese silicones specialist General Silicones (GS) offers its antifungal silicone sheets for protective coatings, which can be used in applications where surfaces are frequently handled and thus become a source of germ transmission.
Silicones make the medical grade Single-use medical devices are in the spotlight as the quest for herd immunity from the coronavirus/Covid-19 continues. While the global situation remains challenging, patient care is focused on the most fundamental needs: hygienic, lightweight, low-cost, and easy-to-use devices. Without doubt, advancements in medical-grade materials such as silicones fit these criteria, making medical treatments more accessible and efficient. Medical grade silicone has a high market demand for a variety of applications, from single-use disposable devices to more complex, implantable devices, due to its biocompatibility, sterilisability, durability, excellent conductivity, tensile strength, thermal stability, and other desirable properties.
Silicone rubber sheets allow for ultra-strong and lasting adhesion to base materials and surfaces using standard PUR and hot melt adhesives
3 SEPTEMBER 2021
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