Plastics are increasingly becoming the material of choice for disposable medical devices, replacing the more expensive glass and metals. This is the tenor of a new market study by Frost & Sullivan (Sullivan House, 4 Grosvenor Gardens, UK-London SW1 ODH). The consultants say the European market for plastics in medical disposables was worth some USD 161m in 1999 and should rise by around 4% to nearly USD 206m by 2005. This is barring unforeseen circumstances, of course. In 1999, as Frost & Sullivan points out, falling raw material prices pushed European sales down by nearly 21% to around USD 130m.

The study expects strongest growth in dispensing systems, infusion bags and disposable respirator systems. By contrast, demand is said to be weakening for one-way injection needles and blood bags. Polymers most frequently used are PVC and polyolefins. PVC, which goes into bags and hose systems, for the most part, accounted for 70% (USD 94m) of plastics used in 1998. Up to 2005, the consultants expect a sales volume of USD 136.5m for PVC in disposable medical devices.

On the other hand, the ongoing controversy over PVC´s possible negative health effects is increasing the pressure to replace this polymer with other materials, Frost & Sullivan notes. One example for the trend to PVC-free products is the “Propyflex” infusion bag produced by Sengewald Verpackungen GmbH & Co KG (Kreisstr. 16, D-33790 Halle/Westphalia). The trend towards PVC substitution is strongest in Germany and Scandinavia, while there appears to be no such development as yet in the UK, Spain or Italy, the study concludes.

• Plasteurope.com Service: Details on Frost & Sullivan study: PIE-No. 44352.