COMPAMED 2011: Bluestar Silicones Launches New Innovative Silicone Foams for Healthcare Applications

LYON, France, November 17, 2011 -

Bluestar Silicones, one of the world’s leading fully integrated global silicones manufacturers, will launch a new technology, SILBIONE® RT Foams at the COMPAMED Show - the international trade fair for high-tech solutions for medical technology, held in Dusseldorf, Germany, from November 16 to 18.

NEW TECHNOLOGY FOR HEALTHCARE OEMs

SILBIONE® RT Foams are liquid materials enabling the production of silicones foams, with low density (from 0.18 to 0.25) and open cells. They also answer to Healthcare and medical highest standards: ISO 10 993-1 and USP Class VI tests - cytotoxicity, skin irritation, skin sensitisation…, and are certified as biocompatible.

SILBIONE® RT Foams are delivered in a two components package of low viscosity fluids.

Once part A and part B are mixed, two reactions start simultaneously:

• Silicone elastomers cross link, from a polyaddition reaction (no by-products)
• Hydrogen gas is released to promote cells formation

“Thanks to a very accurate study of the basic mechanisms, we have designed a new SILBIONE® RT Foam range which combines low density together with excellent mechanical properties,” said Delphine Blanc, PhD, senior scientist at Bluestar Silicones.

With all these properties, the SILBIONE® RT Foams fit perfectly with the healthcare market, in terms of technical needs, regulatory requirements and formulation’s flexibility.

TAILOR-MADE SILICONE FOAMS

Bluestar Silicone is keen to customize the SILBIONE® Silicone Foams to fit with OEMs specific requirements.

Bluestar Silicones’ scientists developed this patent pending technology and are able to manage the competition between curing and foaming kinetics, a key parameter to control density and open vs closed cells. Based on this technology, these parameters can be tuned to your needs and technical requirements.

This accumulated body of knowledge and chemistry management enables the company to provide tailor-made silicone foams with extreme performances.

SILICONE FOAMS’ BENEFITS

The SILBIONE® RT Foams are versatile materials and are specifically designed to bring Healthcare OEM and patients lots of benefits:

        Features of the
           products           Benefits for OEMs    Benefits for patients

       Biocompatibility         Peace of mind           No toxicity

                            Fluid management (body
          Open cells           fluid, moisture         Breathability
                                   vapour)             

          Low density        Cost per unit volume      Light weight

                                                   Prevent bed sores and
    Wide range of hardness   Pressure management         decubitus

                                                   Resistance to washing
     Weathering resistance     Long shelf-life       and sterilization

                                                     Comfort, thermal
      Thermal insulation          New design              control

          Flexibility           Ease of design       Safety & Comfort

ABOUT BLUESTAR SILICONES’ HEALTHCARE PRODUCT RANGE

As one of the most tested biomaterials, silicones are increasingly used in healthcare and medical applications for their biocompatibility and high performance physical properties.

Bluestar Silicones’ portfolio includes silicones for dental and audiology applications, orthotics, prosthetics and comfort care, medical devices and skin/wound management.

In terms of technologies, Bluestar Silicones offers a complete range or products, from Liquid Silicone Rubber (LSR), Heat Cured Rubber (HCR), RTV, Specialty Fluids, Gels, to emulsions, dispersions, and adhesives.

ABOUT BLUESTAR SILICONES

Bluestar Silicones is one of the world’s leading fully integrated silicone manufacturers with applications and research laboratories, production sites and sales offices located around the globe. We focus on developing state-of-the-art application expertise to help our customers challenge their boundaries.

Combining the expertise of its designers, engineers, production experts, and chemists, Bluestar Silicones continuously innovates and improve products to better match customer needs and meet the growing demands of the medical market.

To achieve these continuous innovations, Bluestar Silicones is working closely with customers by assessing the specific end-use requirements and developing customized products for commercial use.

For more information, please visit www.bluestarsilicones.com

COMPAMED will be held in Düsseldorf, Germany, from November 16 to 18, 2011.

Meet us in Hall 8b, booth F10.

Press contact: Jean-Francois GRANAT, Bluestar Silicones, Phone : +33-4-72-13-19-76 - Fax: +33-4-72-13-19-44, E-mail: Jean-francois.granat at bluestarsilicones.com