News | June 28, 2012

Saint-Gobain's New C-Flex® ULTRA Pump Tubing For Biopharmaceutical Applications Outperforms The Competition

Source: Saint-Gobain Performance Plastics

Saint-Gobain Performance Plastics has expanded its line of thermoplastic elastomer (TPE) tubing with the addition of new C-Flex® ULTRA pump tubing, a product designed specifically to perform in demanding biopharmaceutical applications such as pumping, single-use assemblies, process filling and sampling.

Produced from C-Flex® resin that has been validated by pharmaceutical manufacturers for more than two decades, C-Flex® ULTRA pump tubing exceeds the industry’s requirements for a flexible, clear, weldable and sealable pump tubing for fluid processing applications. C-Flex® ULTRA has also consistently outperformed every known competitor in extensive testing conducted by independent organizations. Three particularly important performance parameters stand out.

  • Pump life – C-Flex® ULTRA was still pumping after 1,400 hours of continuous operation (at 600 rpms with 15 pounds of back pressure).
  • Spallation – C-Flex® ULTRA delivers lower spallation during the pumping process than any other TPE or silicone formulation.
  • Surface smoothness – While other TPE tubing is plagued with surface tackiness, C-Flex® ULTRA’s smooth outer surface does not gum up pump heads, reducing downtime for cleaning and resulting in far less wear and tear on these crucial pump components.

C-Flex® ULTRA complies with USP Class VI standards and is manufactured by Saint-Gobain Performance Plastics under strict cGMP guidelines. The tubing’s unique, patented TPE formula is significantly less permeable than silicone, has low platelet adhesion and protein binding characteristics, and provides excellent clarity for easy viewing of fluid. It is BPA-free, phthalate-free and animal derived component-free (ADCF); non-pyrogenic and non-cytotoxic; and offers excellent resistance to concentrated acids and alkalis.

C-Flex® ULTRA can be thermally sealed and welded, making it ideal for biopharmaceutical filling and sampling processes. It is available in ten standard sizes (ID x OD), with custom sizes, lengths and packaging available upon request.

For more information, visit www.biopharm.saint-gobain.com.

About Saint-Gobain Performance Plastics
Saint-Gobain Performance Plastics, part of the Innovative Materials Sector of Saint-Gobain, is headquartered in Aurora, Ohio, and employs 4,400 people in 15 countries. It is a world leader in high-performance plastics, including flexible tubing applications, seals, coated fabrics, foams, polymer products and bearings.

About Saint-Gobain
Based in Paris, Saint-Gobain has operations in 64 countries and employs nearly 190,000 people. Founded in 1665 to manufacture glass for the Hall of Mirrors at the Palace of Versailles in Paris, Saint-Gobain remains headquartered in France and had worldwide sales of $53.2B in 2010. The company has 19,000 employees in more than 350 locations across the United States and Canada. For more information, visit www.saint-gobain.com and www.saint-gobain-northamerica.com.

SOURCE: Saint-Gobain Performance Plastics