Bayer to Provide Special Polycarbonate Grades for Medical Device Industry in Asia Pacific

Kidney disorder is a highly prevalent disease in China. According to recent studies the number of patients with chronic kidney disease in China is estimated at about 120 million. Dialysis is an important life-prolonging treatment for these patients and the medical device industry requires for polycarbonate used in the production of dialyzers to meet special needs regarding design and sterilization. Bayer MaterialScience now addresses these specific needs with a new-generation polycarbonate material for hemodialyzer housings: Makrolon ? Rx2430. In addition, Bayer MaterialScience is now able to supply Asia Pacific customers, especially in China and India, with the radiation-sterilization-stabilized grades of Rx2430 as well as Makrolon ? Rx1805, Rx2530 from its production plant in Map Ta Phut Industrial Estate, Thailand.  
   The enhanced production process of existing production lines combines state-of-the-art German process technologies and product formulation with local expertise and regional customer needs. “This clearly shows our global commitment to the medical device manufacturing industry. It is our aim to supply material of consistent quality quickly and reliably from regional manufacturing sites to ensure fast delivery and satisfaction of local customer needs,” says Michelle Jou, Head of Commercial Operation Asia Pacific for the Business Unit Polycarbonates, Bayer MaterialScience. “Being close to our customers in Asia will help to create a leaner supply chain, thus making it possible to bring products to the market much quicker than in the past.”
   China’s 12th 5-year plan details the government’s commitment to raise the level of medical insurance to further protect the sick from falling into poverty. Patients can now receive appropriate treatment at affordable prices under their medical insurance reimbursement scheme. This translates into opportunities for local manufacturers of the medical device industry. Mr. Leibo XIA, General Manager and Chairman of Wego Blood Purification Products Co., Ltd said: “We are setting the benchmark for the industry by following the government policy. Our dialyzers based on medical-grade polycarbonates provide safety and security to patients. Since 2008 we have enaged in a strong partnership with Bayer to develop dialyzers from design to production, meeting both product performance and cost balance. ”