Henkel to feature wide range of adhesive innovations for healthcare applications

New trends in healthcare materials and manufacturing of medical devices demand new adhesive solutions. Henkel is addressing these challenges with a wide range of innovative product solutions on display at Compamed.

Flexible LED cure adhesives for medical devices

Building on the company’s expertise in Loctite brand solutions for the healthcare industry, the spotlight will be on new acrylic adhesives that offer significant design and manufacturing benefits. Two of these products were specially developed for use on flexible applications made of thermoplastic elastomers ‏(TPE) and thermoplastic polyurethanes ‏(TPU), two substrates increasingly specified by device manufacturers. As low-viscosity, LED curable and high-flexibility adhesives, they feature tack-free curing and combine high elongation ‏(>200%) with outstanding bond strength also on polycarbonate, acrylic and other rigid plastics used in medical devices.

“Using LED curing saves costs, thanks to the fact that it can be switched ON/OFF instantly. Additionally, the narrow spectrum of light wavelength without infrared light emissions helps manufacturers save energy consumption and minimizes the generation of heat that must be dissipated, especially in cleanroom bonding applications,” says Andrés Bultó, Business Development & Key Account Manager Medical at Henkel. “When developing our new LED cure adhesives, our aim was to add further value by enhancing their flexibility and design freedom, while at the same time maximizing their bonding strength. Notably, the property profile includes fast LED curing in all geometries, from bondlines to open fillets.”

Next to TPE and TPU, the products also have an ideal fit in plasticized PVC applications. Whereas flexibility in adhesives normally comes at the cost of higher viscosity, Henkel’s innovative new LED cure adhesives achieve high flexibility at the lowest end of viscosity, lower than current grades available, which makes them particularly suitable for flexible joints with narrow gaps or post-assembly dispensing. In addition, they provide high fluorescence in uncured and polymerized state, enabling quick and easy quality inspection of the liquid or cured adhesive by use of black light or vision systems.

Typical applications include a wide variety of disposable medical products, e.g. tube connectors and IV sets, needle safety shields, catheters, respiratory circuits and fluid containers. The new Loctite flexible LED cure adhesives have been tested and certified according to ISO 10993 biocompatibility standards and have shown compatibility with common sterilization methods like Gamma, ETO or autoclave.

Adhesives for functional medical plasters and advanced patches

Henkel will also be presenting its new hydrocolloid hotmelt pressure sensitive adhesive ‏(PSA). This innovation targets the fast-growing market of functional medical plasters and advanced patches for use in applications such as advanced wound dressings, acne treatment and ostomy care. Apart from its outstanding balance of adhesion and peel strength, its hydrocolloid formulation delivers excellent moisture retention from the wound to the adhesive, good breathability and enhanced wearing comfort.

“This key innovation was created with consumers in mind and answers the demand for bandages and patches that minimize scarring while offering high water absorbency and protection from infection,” says Richard Wang, Business Head of Henkel’s Tapes and Labels business in Asia-Pacific.

In addition, Henkel will present its portfolio of PSAs custom designed for a broad range of wound plasters and electrode/health patches. Certified to ISO 10993, these solvent acrylic products are characterized by good breathability and show excellent adhesion on sensitive skin with gentle and residue-free removal.

Holistic material solutions for next-gen smart health devices

Complementing its wide portfolio of adhesives for healthcare, Henkel will also showcase a number of comprehensive material sets enabling next-generation smart health devices, such as disposable moisture sensors for incontinence management and comfortable on-body health patches for real-time wireless patient monitoring using novel dry-electrode materials. The product range includes Loctite conductive sensing inks, skin-compatible PSAs, protective coatings and low-pressure molding materials, all designed for high speed, cost-efficient manufacturing processes.

Henkel’s adhesive and market specialists will be available to discuss the potential and benefits of the company’s innovative new product offering for enhanced productivity and smart functionality in healthcare at Booth G05 in Hall 8b.