Covestro launches Good Manufacturing Practice (GMP) compliant TPU products for food contact and healthcare applications in Asia Pacific

German materials manufacturer Covestro has announced the availability of its new Desmopan® GMP range of thermoplastic polyurethanes (TPUs) to the Asia-Pacific region, which meets stringent Good Manufacturing Practice (GMP) standards. The products will be manufactured at Covestro's Changhua site in Taiwan and will meet the high demands of food contact applications, including conveyor belts, food containers and drinking water equipment, as well as toys and orthodontic and related health care applications.

"We are pleased that the Changhua site is able to meet all the stringent GMP requirements, which allows us to expand our product portfolio and offer the Desmopan® GMP range to our customers in the Asia Pacific region." Dr. Andrea Maier-Richter, Global Head of the Thermoplastic Polyurethanes Business Unit at Covestro, said, "Covestro has already gained extensive experience in other regions in producing high-performance TPU materials on a GMP-compliant basis. In the future, we are also committed to using our expertise to meet the needs of our customers in Asia Pacific."

The Desmopan® GMP series of high performance products are durable with erosion, abrasion and fatigue resistant properties. They are also water resistant and can withstand water washing and frequent wiping without degrading performance over time. In addition, the series has good dimensional stability, flexibility and durability, and can withstand a variety of forces without breaking or cracking, such as the force of tooth movement that orthodontic braces are subjected to. In addition, the products comply with EU10/2011, the European Union regulation on plastic materials and products in contact with food (text relevant to the European Economic Area), and the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) standards 21 CFR 177.1680 (polyurethane resins) and 21 CFR 177.2600 (rubber products for reuse).

Lisa Ketelsen, Head of Asia Pacific, Thermoplastic Polyurethanes Division, Covestro, added, "In addition to following strict food contact and health and safety manufacturing standards, our Changhua site has also received ISCC PLUS certification. This means that the Changhua site's products can offer specifications based on a mass-balanced approach to production with a share of alternative raw materials, supporting customers in achieving their sustainability goals. These specifications not only help customers reduce their carbon footprint, but also maintain the same functionality and properties as fossil-based materials."

Mass Balance allocates alternative non-fossil-based raw materials to individual products through a chain-of-custody approach. This makes it possible to track material content through the value chain.