SABIC’s New UL746G-Certified Polycarbonate Copolymer Resin Helps Medical Device Manufacturers Comply with Upcoming PFAS Regulations

SABIC, a global leader in the chemical industry, has announced the launch of LNP™ ELCRES™ NPCRX9612U resin, the first product in a new family of polycarbonate copolymer resins that are free from fluorine and other per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS). This new resin is not only certified to UL746G—a testing standard specifically for materials free from fluorine and PFAS—but also offers excellent chemical resistance against strong medical disinfectants. It achieves a UL94 V0 flame-retardant rating even at a thin-wall thickness of 1.5 mm. The expanding portfolio of NP-series resins, indicated by the “NP” prefix in product codes, is designed to help manufacturers across various industries proactively address increasingly stringent regulatory and performance requirements.

Sergi Monros, Vice President of the Specialties business within SABIC’s Polymers division, stated: “SABIC is investing heavily in new material development to help OEMs proactively plan for and smoothly respond to compliance and performance demands. Through a deep understanding of our customers’ current and future application needs, we can anticipate and proactively develop new materials that meet those needs.”

The newly launched LNP ELCRES NPCRX9612U is a polycarbonate-based copolymer resin. It retains excellent impact resistance and resists degradation even after exposure to strong disinfectants such as quaternary ammonium compounds. This biocompatible and color-customizable material supports thin-walled, miniaturized device designs, making it well-suited for applications such as insulin pumps, medical imaging equipment, and patient monitors.

This new resin is part of SABIC’s broader portfolio of medical-grade thermoplastics, which also includes LNP™ LUBRILOY™ modified compounds and ULTEM™ HU resins. LNP LUBRILOY compounds utilize proprietary non-PTFE (polytetrafluoroethylene) internal lubrication technology to deliver excellent wear resistance and low-friction performance without using PFAS. ULTEM HU resins are unreinforced polyetherimide (PEI) materials known for their outstanding mechanical and electrical properties, dimensional stability, as well as strong chemical and heat resistance.