Researchers say that the material cuts phthalate migration in medical applications

Researchers in Germany claim that a titanium-based surface coating can cut plasticiser migration from flexible PVC products.

The University of Erlangen’s institute for work, social and environmental medicine and specialist coating company GfE Medizintechnik says that the MigraStop system, when applied as an inert, biocompatible 30nm coating, has prevented phthalate migration in medical equipment.

The work with MigraStop concentrates on medical equipment, the institute explained, because certain groups of people that have had intensive contact with medical equipment have been found to have higher levels of DEHP plasticiser than the overall population.

GfE says that MigraStop’s covalent, titanium-based layer can only be separated by destroying the plastic. The joint project was supported by the Bavarian Research Foundation.