Mitsubishi Plastics, Inc. (head office: Chuo-ku, Tokyo; president: Hiroshi Yoshida) has launched a full-scale business in the medical field with its DIAMIRON™ high-functionality multilayer film, which is mainly used in food packaging at present. DIAMIRON™ is a co-extruded multilayer film used for food packaging, mainly by ham and sausages. Because of multiple plastic materials is simultaneously formed , using proprietary technology, making it possible to provide multilayer films with several functions customized to customer needs, such as gas barrier and ease of removal (easy peeling). Although the main application of DIAMIRON™ is food packaging, it also can use as (secondary) packaging in the medical field, such as packaging pre-filled syringes (syringes that have been pre-filled with pharmaceuticals).

Photo: Sample uses of DIAMIRON™ for medical packaging

MPI has positioned the medical field as a key field for expanding the DIAMIRON™ business. Three years ago, it began joint development of film for medical infusion solution bags* with a major pharmaceutical firm, and it has built a production readiness for high-functionality film: last year, it invested about ¥300 million in the creation of clean room at its DIAMIRON™ plant (at MPI's Azai Plant), and it has created a stricter quality-control regime. This spring, MPI will launch full-scale sales of film for medical infusion solution bags. MPI also formed a dedicated sales team in April in order to accelerate its business grouwth in the medical field, and strengthen its sales efforts.

In the healthcare field, there is demand to prevent medical errors and reduce the burden on medical practitioners. MPI will leverage the product and technical strengths it developed with DIAMIRON™ for food packaging in order to offer the best materials and solutions to support the functionality its customers require, as a partner with manufacturers of pharmaceuticals and medical devices that are developing new products. Consequently, MPI will advance its DIAMIRON™ business fully into the medical field.

*Medical infusion solution bag
These bags are used to hold fluids for IVs. Although conventionally it was the norm to use glass bottles for the infusion solution, there has been demand from medical practitioners for film bags because they are lighter, easier to handle, and make pharmaceuticals safer. The use of film bags has thus been growing.

 

 

■Inquires regarding this material should be directed to the
	Public Relations Section, General Administration Dept., Mitsubishi Plastics Inc. TEL: +81-3-3279-3800