SABIC Enhances LNP™ LUBRILOY™ Range: Advancing PFAS-Free Material Solutions

Image: Flatlay with glucometer, insulin pen and medication; Copyright: dolgachov — These new compounds are versatile and suitable for various applications such as medical devices. Copyright: dolgachov

22.03.2024

SABIC unveils an expansion of its LNP™ LUBRILOY™ portfolio with innovative internally lubricated compounds, offering high-performance alternatives to PTFE-lubricated materials. This development addresses regulatory and health concerns over PFAS, positioning SABIC as a leader in sustainable material solutions.

SABIC, a leader in the chemical industry, announced a significant expansion of its LNP LUBRILOY portfolio, introducing new grades designed to meet the evolving needs of customers across various sectors, particularly healthcare. These new products emerge as viable alternatives to traditional PTFE-lubricated materials, which contain PFAS substances now under scrutiny due to potential health and regulatory implications.

Ralph R. Buoniconti, a senior regulatory specialist at SABIC, stated, "In the face of proposed European and individual U.S. state regulations severely restricting or banning the use of PFAS, customers are seeking self-lubricated solutions that don’t incorporate these chemicals."

Eine Hand hält rote Kunststoffkügelchen in einem durchsichtigen Behälter; weitere Kügelchen sind vor einem blauen Hintergrund zu sehen.

Exhibitors & products around raw materials & auxiliaries

The latest LNP LUBRILOY offerings incorporate a novel, patented lubrication technology. This innovation allows Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs) to avoid the complications associated with PFAS, ensuring compliance with increasingly stringent regulations. Ed Williams, SABIC’s senior product manager for LNP Compounds, highlighted the company's deep polymer chemistry knowledge as key to developing these advanced materials.

Image: Medical pen made of LNP™ LUBRILOY™; Copyright: SABIC — With the LUBRILOY compounds, SABIC has developed a new type of lubricant technology and incorporated it into several new base resins. They offer outstanding wear and friction properties. Copyright: SABIC

Benefits and Applications of the New Compounds

These new compounds provide exceptional wear and friction performance without relying on PTFE, making them suitable for a broad spectrum of applications:

Medical Devices: Offering enhanced wear resistance and reduced friction for devices such as drug delivery pens, gears, and bearings.
Mobility and Industrial Use: Ideal for automotive components, water meters, and conveyor belt guides, among others, where durability and performance are paramount.

Ed Williams, SABIC's senior product manager for LNP Compounds, offers in-depth insights into the capabilities and advantages of these innovative materials through various platforms, underscoring their significant role in addressing wear and friction challenges in medical devices while eliminating the dependency on PFAS.

SABIC's addition of the new LNP LUBRILOY grades underscores the company's commitment to innovation and sustainability in the materials sector. By offering viable, non-PTFE lubricated alternatives, SABIC not only addresses the immediate regulatory and environmental challenges but also paves the way for the broader adoption of sustainable practices within the industry.

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