ICP DAS-BMP Debuts PFAS-Free TPU Catheters for 90-Day Implants at MMA 2026

For health systems and clinical procurement, material choice is a patient-safety decision. The announcement of a low-migration TPU rated for 90-day implantation and a PFAS-free, coating-free low-friction catheter line speaks directly to infection-control, regulatory, and catheter-comfort concerns in hospitals and outpatient settings.

According to a PRNewswire announcement dated August 25, 2026, ICP DAS-BMP (Biomedical Polymers), a Taiwan-based manufacturer of medical-grade thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU), will exhibit at Medical Manufacturing Asia 2026 from September 9 to 11 at Marina Bay Sands Expo & Convention Centre in Singapore, booth 2U20. The company said it will showcase its medical TPU portfolio alongside manufacturing partner Towards Buddha Co., Ltd. and will introduce integrated medical tubing extrusion and contract manufacturing (OEM/ODM) services for device manufacturers. The centerpiece includes two TPU innovations: the Low-Migration Series and the Low-Friction Series.

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For devices that must be visible under fluoroscopy, the ARP/ALP/ALC-B20/B40 series contains 20-40% barium sulfate, while the ARP-W/WG series is formulated with 40-60% tungsten.

Medical TPU has become a workhorse polymer in interventional and implantable devices because it combines flexibility, kink resistance, mechanical strength, and compatibility with common sterilization methods. Its use spans catheters, cannulas, wound dressings, orthodontic components, and short- to long-term implant applications. The choice of formulation directly affects patient safety: additives can migrate to device surfaces over time, affecting biocompatibility and performance; coatings can wear or delaminate in vasculature; and radiopacity is necessary for image-guided placement. The Asia-Pacific region, and Singapore specifically, has become a key hub for medical manufacturing, with Medical Manufacturing Asia attracting contract manufacturers, materials suppliers, and OEMs seeking regional supply chain resilience.

The Low-Migration Arothane ARP-B20 TPU, as described by ICP DAS-BMP, complies with ISO 10993 biocompatibility testing and is suitable for implantation up to 90 days. The company attributes this to a formulation that minimizes additive migration to the surface of processed devices, helping maintain long-term stability. The Low-Friction Series is presented as having an inherently smooth surface that eliminates the need for coatings or post-processing; it is made entirely of TPU and is free from PFAS and plasticizers. This combination targets invasive catheters that require guidewires, including nasogastric tubes and central venous catheters, where reduced friction can improve clinician handling and patient comfort. The PFAS-free positioning is noteworthy given regulatory scrutiny of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances in medical devices in the EU and US.

Beyond the two spotlight series, the company said its ARP, ALP, and ALC series support limited, prolonged, and long-term contact durations under ISO 10993-1 classification. For devices that must be visible under fluoroscopy, the ARP/ALP/ALC-B20/B40 series contains 20-40% barium sulfate, while the ARP-W/WG series is formulated with 40-60% tungsten. The higher-density tungsten formulations generally provide stronger radiopacity at lower additive volume, useful for thin-walled or small-diameter devices. The Engineering Arothane EARP series is positioned for clarity and mechanical strength in orthodontic parts, Luer-Lock connectors, and other precision components.