WACKER Showcases Robust Product and Service Solutions for the Medical Device Industry at MDM West 2025

Silicone pressure-sensitive adhesives (PSAs) have become the premier choice for skin-friendly adhesion in medical devices. Still, their sterilization options used to be restricted to ethylene oxide (EtO). That’s changed with the introduction of an innovative silicone PSA that confidently withstands gamma radiation sterilization. This significant advancement enhances the versatility of silicone PSAs. It unlocks a wealth of new applications in medical devices that ideally call for the unique attributes of soft silicone gel skin adhesives.

"Our healthcare center of excellence team is excited to introduce the first Silicone Gel Adhesive formulation permitting gamma sterilization as an effective alternative to ethylene oxide (EtO) processes. We are also evaluating the adhesive’s characteristics when exposed to alternative ionizing sterilization techniques such as electron beam and X-ray," said Kyle Gaines, WACKER's healthcare solutions marketing manager for RTV silicone materials. "Our Wacker Silicone Manufactured Innovations team is ready to discuss our prototype development, technical support, and contract manufacturing services for the medical device and wound care markets."

Further strengthening WACKER’s capabilities, Wacker Silicone Manufactured Innovations (WSMI) delivers new testing and development capabilities for silicone coating of self-adhesive applications in the healthcare sector. This includes contract manufacturing services that offer access to high-quality silicone adhesive-coated products. These are ideal for customers seeking to pilot silicones or need access to state-of-the-art coating equipment.

“The technology innovation and solutions provided by WSMI help us serve the healthcare market more effectively and efficiently, said Richard King, Wacker Silicone Manufactured Innovations (WSMI) Commercial Leader. “By enhancing prototyping capabilities, WSMI empowers coaters, converters, and medical device designers with tailored processing recommendations and expert support.”

Silicone Elastomers: Gentle Solutions for Sensitive Areas

The ELASTOSIL^® line includes liquid silicone rubbers (LSRs) and high-consistency rubber (HCRs) used in various standard medical applications, including medical wearables, tubing, patches, and similar products. In contrast, the SILPURAN^® portfolio is specifically designed for more sensitive medical applications such as wound dressings, medical adhesives, gels, intravenous (IV) administration sets, needle-free valves and seals, drainage and feeding tubes, urinary catheters, syringe seals, respiratory masks, and other medical devices.

SILPURAN^® products comply with ISO 10993 standards and successfully pass United States Pharmacopeia (USP) Class VI tests. As outlined in the WACKER CLEAN OPERATIONS program, they are filled and packaged in Class 8 clean rooms to ensure high purity levels that meet current and future medical requirements.

“Sustainability is an essential focus in the medical device industry,” said LeeAnn Forche, an engineering silicones marketing specialist. “Our robust contract manufacturing through WSMI and our advanced bio-methanol-based silicone grades under the ELASTOSIL^® eco brand position us to lead the market in high-quality medical-grade silicones. We are fully committed to meeting customer demands quickly and effectively.”

Among the ELASTOSIL^® eco products currently available are several important silicone rubber grades for medical technology applications. ELASTOSIL^® 3078, the primerless adhesion to polycarbonate. These grades are a primerless, self-bonding series that adhere to polycarbonate (PC) and various high-performance plastic substrates such as Polyarylethersulfones (PESU, PSU, PPSU)). Because of the individual surface properties, each substrate must be tested before mass production. ELASTOSIL^® LR 3078 series is characterized by a very low tendency of mold deposition. This product solution meets the selected test requirements of ISO 10993 and United States Pharmacopoeia (USP) Class VI. It is designed for medical applications compliant with the WACKER SILICONES HEALTH CARE POLICY, including implantation for less than 30 days.

ELASTOSIL^® RTV silicone rubber formulations are two-part polyaddition systems. They consist of polysiloxane, curing agents, fillers, and additives. When the two components are mixed, crosslinking begins spontaneously at room temperature. WACKER offers a wide variety of cure profiles and hardness ranges. WACKER’s room-temperature-vulcanizing (RTV) silicone rubber can be found in wound and ostomy care products, wearables, medical tapes, orthopedics, prosthetics, and dental care applications. Their exceptional properties make them ideal for highly sensitive health care and baby care applications.

WACKER’s technical team provides industry-leading customer support and offers technical assistance with product recommendations and regulatory/application support. WACKER also gives customers access to the WACKER ACADEMY, an engaging and unique educational experience in material technology and processing methodology customized to individual customer needs. The WACKER ACADEMY offers a range of courses, workshops, and seminars our experts conduct, covering topics from material properties to processing techniques to help our clients stay at the forefront of the industry.

Please visit Booth 1815 at MD&M West to see demonstrations and talk with WACKER experts. We look forward to discussing how our innovative solutions and services can meet your specific needs. Click here for additional information.