DuPont adds TPE line to pharma tubing range

Wilmington, Delaware – DuPont has introduced a range of extruded pharma tubing based on thermoplastic elastomer (TPE) technology for fluid transport and single-use bioprocessing applications. 

Called ‘DuPont Liveo pharma TPE tubing’, the new range is intended to complement the US company’s ‘Liveo silicone pharma tubing’ and ‘overmolded assembly’ (OMA) products.

Asked about the composition of the TPE and where it is being produced, a DuPont spokeswoman said “the resin used to produce our tubing is a Liveo styrenic based copolymer.  

“Our product raw materials and formulations are proprietary. DuPont has full responsibility of its suitability in the target applications.”  

The TPE tubing is tailored to enable improved heat welding to itself and to alternative offerings, high tensile strength and burst resistance before and after welding

Other features are stated to include “minimal spallation” after 24 hours of pumping, low extractables, and good chemical resistance, added DuPont’s 12 Oct announcement.  

Target applications include biopharma processes requiring aseptic connection and disconnection of tubing without connectors, for example during sampling, as well as peristaltic pump applications.

According to DuPont, TPE tubing has been increasingly adopted in bioprocessing single-use applications, due in particular to its thermo-weldability. 

The launch, it noted, comes at a time of accelerated demand for single-use tubing in the biopharma industry and stress on supply chains due to the Covid-19 pandemic.