Neenah, a global manufacturer of materials focused on filtration media, specialty coatings, engineered materials as well as imaging and packaging, released a new paper-based medical packaging capable of withstanding all three widely used sterilization processes, including radiation, autoclave and ethylene oxide. This product allows customers to serve multiple markets and explore new opportunities by providing an alternative to polymer-based or kraft medical packaging traditionally used for nasal swabs, syringes, bandages, and other single-use applications.
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 as it quickly kills germs that can cause disease and neutralizes other harmful organisms. It is essential to the radiation sterilization process that the packaging has breathable barrier properties, conformability, printability, and the ability to withstand radiation exposure to prevent risks to patients.
Neenah's new radiation-resistant product is available in a 116 gsm basis weight and it rounds out Neenah's medical packaging offering that currently includes standard 85 and 112 gsm basis weight options and a new lighter-weight 72 gsm grade introduced in 2021. The entire paper-based product offering uses FSC controlled fibers, is EN868 compliant, and accepts steam and Ethylene Oxide (EO) sterilization methods.
