In operating rooms, intensive care units, and dialysis centers, have you ever noticed the tubing that connects patients to medical devices? These tubes serve as vital lifelines between patients and clinicians and were a significant bottleneck in the production of medical consumables in China.

Breakthrough in high-end medical tubing

As China evolves into the world’s second-largest medical device market—projected to reach RMB 973.9 billion by 2025—the push to localize high-end medical tubing is gathering momentum.

Recently, TekniPlex Healthcare, a global leader in medical tubing, celebrated its twentieth anniversary in China. Adsale Plastics Network spoke with Jessica Chen, Managing Director of TekniPlex Healthcare China, and Jason Jiang, Key Account Manager of TekniPlex Healthcare China.

The discussion highlighted that localizing what may seem like a simple tube involves much more than merely establishing a factory. It requires navigating high entry barriers in materials science, manufacturing processes, clinical applications, and regulatory compliance.

(Left to right) Jason Jiang, Key Account Manager of TekniPlex Healthcare China; Jessica Chen, Managing Director of TekniPlex Healthcare China; and Ivy Zhang, Senior Editor of Adsale Platics Network 

Piecemeal sourcing is no longer necessary

According to Chen Jie, TekniPlex first established its plant in Wujiang, Suzhou, to address the localization needs of multinational corporations in China. As the business has expanded, the company has also begun collaborating closely with domestic manufacturers to develop high-end consumables, including balloon catheter tubing and precision tubing.

Precision medical tubing from TekniPlex Healthcare.

Take, for instance, the pump tubing used in continuous renal replacement therapy (CRRT):

- can function continuously for 72 hours

- the flow-rate variation must be maintained within a narrow range of ±5% to ±10%.

“Even minor changes in material properties can directly impact the quality of treatment,” Chen noted.

This is why the high-end pump tubing market was dominated by international brands. However, thanks to TekniPlex's robust R&D capabilities, the production of these essential pump tubes has been successfully localized in China.

More importantly, the Wujiang plant has established a vertically integrated model that encompasses everything from “a single pellet to a complete tubing set”: medical-grade polymer compounds (Colorite®) → tubing design → extrusion and injection molding → sterile packaging.

What does this mean for medical device companies? They no longer need to coordinate with multiple suppliers. Instead, a single partner can provide a comprehensive value chain solution, significantly reducing communication overhead and shortening development cycles.

TekniPlex Healthcare's plant in Wujiang, Suzhou. 

Medical tubing is more than just plastic extrusion

Many people mistakenly assume that producing medical tubing is merely extruding plastic. In reality, it is significantly more complex.

Jiang Yi explained that the polymers used in high-end medical consumables must:

- withstand gamma sterilization without yellowing

- comply with stringent international standards, such as USP Class VI and ISO 10993

To facilitate localization, TekniPlex has initiated local production of Colorite®, its established medical polymer compound brand with a 60-year legacy. This move ensures consistent and stable formulations, along with high manufacturing quality.

These polymer compounds are phthalate-free and compatible with various processing methods, including extrusion and injection molding. They can also be supplied in customized formulations. With Shore A hardness ranging from 35A to 95A, different plasticizer systems can be utilized to fine-tune properties such as flexibility, transparency, and chemical resistance, catering to the diverse requirements of various medical applications.

Colorite® medical-grade polymer compounds. 

Design to align with clinicians’ needs

TekniPlex Healthcare China’s portfolio features a variety of customized medical tubing options, including step-bore tubing, radiopaque striped tubing, multilayer tubing, and specialty profiles. These products serve critical roles in IV sets, respiratory systems, hemodialysis machines, anesthesia workstations, diagnostic equipment, and surgical instruments. Importantly, each product is meticulously designed to fulfill specific clinical purposes.

TekniPlex designs its tubing systems to strike a controlled balance between secure fixation and ease of disconnection. Various factors, including materials, dimensions, color coding, and markings, are used to differentiate individual lines. This design helps clinicians quickly identify the correct channel, perform procedures accurately, and reduce the risk of errors.

Minimally invasive procedures necessitate high performance from tubing, requiring stability, flexibility, and dimensional precision. By employing multilayer co-extrusion technology, TekniPlex can meticulously control wall thickness and the relative proportions of each layer. This approach provides the tubing with excellent pushability and resistance to deformation as it advances through the body, thereby reducing the risk of procedure failure due to material-related issues.

Local innovation and global collaboration

China’s medical device market is steadily growing, with medical consumables accounting for over 60% of the total market value. Supported by policies that promote innovation and localization, the market is gradually shifting from competition based on price to competition focused on value.

As Chen Jie highlighted in the interview, China is no longer merely a manufacturing base; it has become a frontier for medical innovation.

“We will continue to pursue ‘local innovation, global collaboration’, leveraging our global experience in materials science along with the momentum of China’s healthcare sector to deliver safer, more efficient, and more sustainable medical solutions for patients,” he stated.

About TekniPlex

Year of establishment: 1967

Global manufacturing sites: 58

Annual sales: US$2 billion

Core business: R&D and manufacturing of innovative high-end precision medical tubing, medical polymer compounds, and packaging materials.