Background
The medical glove market is dominated by the exam glove sector.
Although the surgeon’s glove market represents only 2% of the total by volume,
it accounts for 21% by value.
With the emergence of the latex allergy issue and the consequent litigation
against glove manufacturers in the USA, the market has moved from the cheap
powdered latex glove to the more highly priced powder-free latex glove. Synthetic
gloves have also emerged at a significant price premium. All latex gloves
contain the allergenic proteins which cause the Type 1 allergenic response
which can be fatal, but also contain process chemicals which cause the Type
4 reaction (contact dermatitis). Many synthetic gloves available today also
contain sensitising process chemicals although they are free of allergenic
proteins.
Our Proposition
RANIER therefore believes that the only real technical choice for a high performance,
non-allergenic medical glove is a water-based polyurethane dispersion (PUD)
without sensitising chemicals.
RANIER’s PPM materials manufacturing technology controls stoichiometry and key reaction conditions at the molecular level and thus enhances the consistency of polyurethane materials manufactured for use in medical device products.
The processing equipment used during PPM is capable of handling material viscosities much greater than current batch dispersion technology. The superior properties of such materials provide a highly differentiated surgeons glove, where the market demands a technically advanced high performance glove with cost, although becoming more important, is less of an issue than for examination gloves.
By using PPM low cost, fast reacting isocyanates can be utilised resulting in a lower cost material. This is important for the production of examination gloves, where the market demands a lower cost glove, with the performance and quality being less prevalent than purchasing pressures.
Intellectual Property
RANIER has an international patent application covering the manufacture of
polyurethanes using the PPM technology- (International Patent Application No.
GB01/03441). RANIER has intellectual property covering the manufacture of reticulated
coatings that are used to provide damp or dry lubricity to the internal glove
surface. The glove market considers powder-free coatings greatly preferable
to powdered gloves.
Commercialisation
The market size is estimated to be £1,500 m per annum and RANIER’s
commercial plans seek suitable glove partners who will achieve a significant share
of that market. RANIER is currently seeking partners to exploit this technology.
