CPRJ Medical Plastics Conference: Five buzziest trends you need to know

Under the theme of “Innovation, Cost Reduction and Efficiency Increase Shape the Healthy New Force”, the 5th Edition CPRJ Medical Plastics and Rubber Conference and Showcase grandly kicked off today (14 September) in Suzhou, China to explore the new opportunities for plastics in the medical industry.

More than 350 industry professionals participated in the conference in which about 30 thematic presentations were organized. Besides, 48 exhibitors showcased their latest products and solutions at the venue.

The conference was hosted by Adsale Group, organized by Adsale Plastics Network, China Plastic & Rubber Journal (CPRJ) and CPRJ International, and co-organized by Medical Polymer Products Branch of China Association for Medical Devices Industry, China Association for Medical Devices Industry Medical Devices Packaging Committee and FC-SCMP Club.

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The organizers had collected the procurement requirements of more than 50 enterprises before the start of the conference, and conducted more than 110 “ConnectME” online and offline business matching meetings on the spot. Participating buyers and sellers expressed their satisfaction after the event.

Trend 1: High-value medical devices and consumables present new opportunities

The Chinese government will encourage development and investment in medical products, medical imaging equipment and high value consumables under IVD, orthopedics and cardiovascular areas. – Joyce Ye, Deputy Project Director, Adsale Publishing of Adsale Group

During her welcome speech, Joyce Ye stated that according to foreign consulting agency Grand View, the global medical plastic market worth approximately US$50.3 billion in 2022, and is expected to grow steadily with a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 7.7% from 2023 to 2030. This is mainly resulted from the accelerating aging population in North American, European and Asian-Pacific regions while homecare is the main driving force for the expand of plastics market.

China’s medical device market ranks as the second largest market in the world. The Chinese government will encourage development and investment in medical products, medical imaging equipment and high value consumables under in vitro diagnostics (IVD), orthopedics and cardiovascular areas, she said.

Close cooperation between upstream and downstream enterprises is the key to promoting the development of the medical industry. – Shan Xu, Secretary- General, China Association for Medical Devices Industry

“The development of the medical devices industry cannot be separated from the support of raw materials, especially plastic raw materials,” emphasized Shan Xu in her welcome remark.

Close cooperation between upstream and downstream enterprises is the key to promoting the healthy, stable and sustainable development of the medical industry, and China has become the second largest market in the world that offers huge potential for such cooperation, she said.

The application of medical plastics and rubber products will expand with the backup of innovation. – Michael Hu, President of AP, Siemens Healthineers

Michael Hu’s presentation topic was “How China Enterprises Follow the Mega-Trend of Med-Tech Industry and Take Advantage of Business Opportunities”. He analyzed the business opportunities amid the uncertainty of current market landscape.

According to him, various factors are supporting the medical industry to grow, including government policies, aging of population, continuous advancement of medical technology and new infrastructure. The application scope of medical plastics and rubber products will expand with the backup of innovation, he added.

Trend 2: Digitization and automation help reduce costs and increase efficiency

Future trend of the medical device industry will be on volume purchasing, replacement with domestic products, new medical infrastructure, exporting domestic products and investment driven. – Tony Pei, Quality Director, Yuwell Group

In his presentation on digital upgrade and future of medical device production, Tony Pei underlined that the future development trend of the medical device industry will focus on volume purchasing, replacement with domestic products, new medical infrastructure, exporting domestic products and investment driven.

With multi-dimensional procurement data analysis, WEGO optimizes supply ecology and promotes high-quality development. – Chunpu Jiang, Manufacturing Director of Weigao Holding

Chunpu Jiang shared WEGO’s exploration of digital operation in the medical device industry and explained how multi-dimensional procurement data analysis optimizes supply ecology and promotes high-quality development.

He also mentioned about achieving efficient digital operations in production, distribution and equipment management.

Although the Chinese medical consumables market has been expanding steadily, the industry is in need for transformation. – Ying Guo, Assistant General Manager, Suzhou Shijia Science & Technology

Due to the accelerating aging population problem in China, the number of chronic disease cases has climbed year by year, pointed out Ying Guo.

Although the Chinese medical consumables market has been expanding steadily, the product structure is in need to be upgraded from low value-adding to medium and high value-adding, said Guo. Besides, the production mode has to be upgraded from original equipment manufacturer (OEM) production to original design manufacturer (ODM) production, and automated equipment has to be added for efficient production.

Trelleborg’s iCast LSR is an innovative way for producing small batches of LSR parts with cost-effectiveness and flexibility. – Albert Zheng, LSR Product Manager, Trelleborg Sealing Solutions (China)

Alber Zheng explained how Trelleborg increases production capacity for precision LSR products. For example, iCast LSR is an innovative way for producing small batches of LSR parts with cost-effectiveness and flexibility. The digital production process involves no tool investment and the parts produced are compatible with standard injection molded parts.

The production process uses standard industrial grade two-component platinum-cured LSR materials, and the parts produced have overall dimensions up to approximately 50×50×20mm, 30-70 Shore A hardness. It is suitable for producing 1-2,500 parts.

Trend 3: Innovative materials enable design freedom for high-value products

Through emotional design, large medical devices can be transformed from cold tools into emotional and personal interactors. – Chunjiang Yao, Head of Experience Innovation at Shanghai United Imaging Healthcare

Driven by technological and design innovations, Shanghai United Imaging Healthcare achieved breakthroughs with the three-dimensional innovation matrix. Through emotional design, large medical devices can be transformed from cold tools into emotional and personal interactors, and design can be used to convey care and trust.

Chunjiang Yao said the company advocates cross-border innovation and boldly introduces advanced technologies in the field of consumer electronics. For example, equipping DR device with an oversized intelligent touch screen, an intuitive operation interface and gravity sensing, making the operation easier.

Clear aligners made from Isoplast TPU glass-filled grades perform outstanding stability and chemical resistance, which helps reduce 50% of treatment duration. – Perry Du, Account Manager of Medical Business, Lubrizol Life Science Health of Lubrizol Management (Shanghai)

In his presentation, Perry Du shared how medical materials enable the innovation of medical devices.

Take Isoplast TPU glass-filled grades as an example, its features, including lightweight, modifiable, recyclable, outstanding impact resistant and easy coloring, make Isoplast ideal for applications on rubber coating with low thermal expansion coefficient, electrical and thermal insulation.

Clear aligners made from Isoplast TPU glass-filled grades perform outstanding stability and chemical resistance. High transparency of aligners offers better appearance, compatibility with teeth, and comfortability. Notably, customers also commented that using such material aligners reduces 50% of treatment duration.

In order to increase market competitiveness, Chinese medical catheter makers are shifting to develop precision medical catheters. – Xiaobo Song, Founder & General Manager, Ningbo Linstant Polymer Materials

The presentation topic of Xiaobo Song was the development of material and processing technologies in the medical catheter sector. He said China's medical catheter sector is transforming into a high-end sector.

In order to increase market competitiveness, Chinese medical catheter makers are shifting to develop precision medical catheters. Song expects the Chinese makers will gradually realize the industrialization of precision molding technology and equipment.

There is strong relationship between plastics properties and chemical compatibility of medical devices. – Qing Song, Material Architect / Expert, GE Healthcare System China

In his presentation titled “The Relationship between Plastics Properties and Chemical Compatibility of Medical Devices,” Qing Song talked about the chemical and biological compatibility of medical devices in disinfectant, sterilizer and inhalation anesthesia.

There are continuous innovation and transformation of anesthesia and nursing medical devices. – Dr. Guofeng Wang, General Manager of Advanced Medical Materials Division, Henan Tuoren Medical Device Research Institute

Dr. Guofeng Wang shared the innovation and transformation of anesthesia and nursing medical devices, such as surface modification of commonly used biomaterials, hydrophilic surface modification, antibacterial surface modification, anticoagulant surface modification, etc.

Wanhua continuously innovates in medical materials and has developed a medical product portfolio. – Kevin Luo, Business Development Manager, Wanhua Chemical

Kevin Luo said Wanhua has been strategically invested in big health industry. The company continuously innovates in medical materials and has developed a medical product portfolio covering engineering plastics, general plastics, elastomers, polyurethane, etc.

He emphasized that Wanhua focuses on the needs of downstream customers and provides diversified material solutions for typical applications of consumables and devices. 

Trend 4: Efficient and stable precision molding exploits cost advantage

Application of molds with hot runners for medical consumables in China is significantly lower than that in foreign countries. – Chang Wang, Technical Manager, Berpu Medical Technology

Chang Wang remarked that the application of molds with hot runners reaches 90% for European and American medium and large medical consumables enterprises, while for China, the rate is less than 30%.

Mold with hot runners offers various advantages, including short cycle, high machine efficiency and applicable to large multi-cavity molds. It also saves material by reducing product thickness and eliminating scrap. The balance of runner system ensures size consistency of injection parts; improves mechanical properties of products; and enhances product appearance and quality.

OMCRON has shifted to hot runner technologies to existing and new products to reduce scraps and environmental impacts. – Bo Zhao, Head of Departmental Technical Section, OMRON Corporation

Bo Zhao reported that OMRON had extensively used traditional molding technologies, such as cold runner, for producing sphygmomanometer. Although traditional technologies are mature and easy to apply, the production process results in lots of scraps, he said.

OMRON thereby has implemented hot runner technology to new products and existing products, while remaining the product’s appearance, to reduce scraps and environmental impacts.

Micro injection molding machine MicroPower 15t enables manufacturing of parts in milligram level. – Allen Huang, Technical Support Engineer, Wittmann Battenfeld (Shanghai)

Allen Huang talked about smart integration of precision injection molding into medical applications. Micro injection molding machine MicroPower 15t enables manufacturing of parts in milligram level. With 2-step screw-and-plunger system and servo-electric direct drive, this injection molding machine can be extended to a full manufacturing unit.

FANUC uses assembly robots to produce medical syringes. – Wen Xu, ROBOSHOT Sales Div. Senior Sales Manager, SHANGHAI-FANUC Robomachine

In his presentation titled “Application and Case Sharing of FANUC ROBOSHOT in Medical Industry”, Wen Xu pointed out that FANUC uses assembly robots to produce medical syringes, with 32 cavities, molding cycle of 11.75 seconds and screw diameter of 48mm. Chillers are also used to maintain mold temperature of 12°C.

Microscale polymer manufacturing technique is rapidly developing, with a steady growth trend. – Jane Wang, Project Manager, LK Injection Molding Machine

In her presentation titled “Set Up Value Chain for Medical Device Industry”, Jane Wang pointed out that volume purchasing has been extended, from medicine to medical devices, and to be further extended to low value consumables. Microscale polymer manufacturing technique is rapidly developing, with a steady growth trend.

Focusing on the volume purchasing trend of medical devices, LK launches manufacturing devices for medical industry to increase its competitiveness. LK’s EL130 uses automatic clamping force, clamping precision up to +/-0.01mm for smooth action, with high speed injection reach up to 700mm/s.

Twin screw dryer-free vented pet sheet extrusion line has features including low energy consumption, easy production process and easy maintenance. – Anle Fang, General Manager, Jwell Machinery

Anle Fang introduced Jwell’s extrusion line for medical consumable production. Twin screw dryer-free vented pet sheet extrusion line has features including low energy consumption, easy production process and easy maintenance. It can effectively reduce viscosity loss of PET resin, the symmetrical and thin-wall calendar roller enhances the cooling effect and improves capacity and quality of sheets. Multi components dosing feeder can control the percentage of virgin material and other functional additives precisely.

Gowin’s prefilled series multi-cavity precision molds enable multi-cavity production with short molding cycle. – Feng Liu, Deputy General Manager, Dongguan Gowin Precision Mold

Feng Liu shared the yield control methods for molecular diagnostic kit products. In Gowin’s prefilled series multi-cavity precision molds, the prefilled nozzles can produce 32-cavity with molding cycle of 14 seconds; 5ml prefilled nozzle can produce 16-cavity, with full hot runner and a molding cycle of 14 seconds.

The demand for medical consumables and medical packaging is large, therefore, the requirements for hot runner system are also high. – Jim Yang, Project Manager and Sales Director, MOBEST Hot Runner Technology

Jim Yang introduced the new applications of hot runner technology in medical consumables and medical packaging. He also discussed the pain points of multi-cavity hot runner system.

The demand for medical consumables and medical packaging is large, requiring a large number of cavities, fast cycle time, long life, and good mass production stability; therefore, the requirements for hot runner system are also high, including fluidity balance, heating uniformity, balance requirements, etc., explained Yang.

When developing high-precision molds, attention needs to be paid to consistency and repeatability of parts. – Gomas Cheng, Sales Director, Molding Solutions China, Barnes Molding Solutions (Jiangsu)

Gomas Cheng shared the company’s experience in high-precision and efficient molds for medical and pharmaceutical devices. He said that when developing high-precision molds, attention needs to be paid to consistency and repeatability of parts, which is critical for automated downstream processing of injection molded parts.

Sensors can be directly applied in injection molding machines to ensure product quality. – Yi Zhang, Plastic Sales Manager East-China, Kistler Innovative Technology China

Yi Zhang shared the application of sensors in intelligence monitoring, scientific mold trial, quality sorting and quick mold transfer. For example, during injection molding process of diabetes insulin pump in Arburg’s injection molding machine, Kistler’s direct sensor can monitor the cavity pressure during injection molding process, which ensures quality of products.

Dry ice cleaning allows efficient cleaning of small mold cavities and direct cleaning without disassembling the tools. – Hanbin Liu, Sales Manager – China, Cold Jet Dry Ice Equipment (Shanghai)

Hanbin Liu introduced new exploration and solutions of dry ice cleaning technology in medical plastic and rubber industries.

Take medical mold cleaning as an example. When manufacturing tubes, sprues and y part are produced by LSR injection molding. The molds used are more independent and with smaller and deeper mold cavities than conventional molds. Residues build up in the extremely small mold cavities often lead to inefficient production and more scraps. Therefore, the molds require frequent cleaning.

Dry ice cleaning allows efficient cleaning of small mold cavities and direct cleaning without disassembling the tools, which significantly improves productivity and product quality, explained Liu.

Trend 5: Material innovation improves packaging safety and recyclability

MDR regulation increases the quality, safety and reliability of medical devices. – Selena Qin, General Secretary of China Medical Devices Packaging Committee, China Association for Medical Devices Industry

In her presentation, Selena Qin reported the updates on global medical device packaging regulations and standards. For example, the EU Medical Device Regulation MDR 2017/745 came into effect on May 26, 2017, and officially replaced MDD (93/42/EEC) and AIMDD (90/385/EEC) on May 26, 2020.

MDR regulation increases the quality, safety and reliability of medical devices, as well as improves the transparency of consumer information and enhances market surveillance. 

Hysum proposed innovative replacement of dialysis paper in moisture-proof packaging, with microporous sheet made from UHMWPE. – Xingsheng Yan, Technical Director, Zhejiang Hysum New Material

Xingsheng Yan introduced the application of Ultra-High Molecular Weight Polyethylene (UHMWPE) on medical moisture-proof packaging. Medical moisture-proof packaging mainly uses dialysis paper to seal the desiccant inside the cap.

To tackle the problem of low mechanical strength and product quality of dialysis paper, R&D team of Hysum proposed an innovation of replacing dialysis paper with microporous sheet made from UHMWPE.

Amcor has designed its sustainable medical packaging solutions according to CEFLEX guidelines. – Evan Huang, Product Manager, Amcor

Evan Huang shared Amcor’s innovations in sustainable medical packaging. As said, Amcor has designed its sustainable medical packaging solutions according to CEFLEX guidelines. The company has launched AmPrima, a recyclable mono-material packaging, and AmLite, a transparent barrier recyclable packaging material.

Film materials act an important role with their improving performance, but some disadvantages remain. – Yuancheng Lu, Senior Engineer, Shanghai Jianzhong Medical Packaging

Yuancheng Lu pointed out that in medical device packaging, film materials act an important role with their improving performance, but some disadvantages remain. For example, breathable materials are difficult to clean; breathability of films contradicts with its bacterial barrier properties; application of peelable film is still limited; heat resistance and flexibility of film materials cannot be achieved simultaneously; film types that can apply dry heat sterilization are limited.

Sustainable plastic packaging for functional drinks helps reduce carbon emissions and transportation costs. – Eric Zheng, Director, Zhejiang Huanuo Pharmaceutical Packaging

Eric Zheng introduced the development and technology trends of green packaging for functional drinks. He stated that plastic bottles are major trends for overseas functional drink markets, while the Chinese market mainly uses glass bottles and plastic bottles have only started emerging.

Huanuo’s oral liquid plastic packaging solution adopts mono-material cap, which reduces carbon emissions in its life cycle and increases recyclability. Compared to glass packaging, transportation cost is much lower for plastic packaging. This reduces the delivery cost, especially in the e-commerce sector.

Medical packaging showcase highlights innovation

To allow conference participants know further the latest medical packaging trends, the organizer invited Shanghai Jianzhong Medical Packaging, Zhejiang Huanuo Pharmaceutical Packaging and Trelleborg Sealing Solutions (China) to showcase their innovative solutions onsite.

Zhejiang Huanuo Pharmaceutical Packaging

Trelleborg Sealing Solutions (China)

Concurrent up-to-date technical solutions showcase

48 enterprises from the upstream and downstream of medical plastics supply chain showcased their up-to-date technical solutions, which facilitate efficient and stable production of medical devices and consumables.

The showcase covered solutions from chemical raw material to processing technologies including injection molding, extrusion, blow molding, mold, hot runner, dry ice cleaning, feeding and drying, inspection and testing, printing, etc. Some exhibitors were the following:

Lubrizol Management (Shanghai)

Wanhua Chemical Group

Wittmann Battenfeld (Shanghai)

SHANGHAI-FANUC Robomachine

LK Injection Molding Machine

Jwell Machinery

Dongguan Gowin Precision Mold

Barnes Molding Solutions (Jiangsu)

Kistler Innovative Technology China

Cold Jet Dry Ice Equipment (Shanghai)

MOBEST Hot Runner Technology

Plant visit

The conference participants will be joining a plant visit at NeoModulus. The company focuses on the R&D and manufacturing of implantable medical devices for human tissue repair and organ reconstruction. Its specializes in technologies for tissue engineering, such as electrospinning, 3D printing, chemical synthesis, etc.

NeoModulus’ products include membranes, glues, agents, etc., which are used in many clinical departments such as dentistry, ophthalmology, otolaryngology, surgery, and so on.