LyondellBasell (NYE: LYB), one of the world's largest plastics, chemicals and refining companies, today announced the introduction of Purell KT MR 07, the first polybutene-1 (PB-1) based resin that is targeting the market of flexible and transparent healthcare applications, such as medical tubing and IV bags.

“LyondellBasell’s continuous drive for innovation now brings to the market a non-phthalate based solution that is free of plasticizers and may offer inter-material replacement of PVC (polyvinyl chloride) or SEBS (styrene-ethylene-butadiene-styrene) in healthcare applications,” said Stefano Pasquali, Business Development & Innovation Manager of LyondellBasell’s European PB-1 business. “Purell KT MR 07 is the result of a highly skilled and committed team with more than 30 years of experience addressing the unique requirements of the healthcare industry.”

Unlike traditional Ziegler-Natta-catalyst-based PB-1 products, this new grade is based on metallocene catalyst technology which provides excellent compatibility with polypropylene (PP) and good processability in film extrusion conversion, injection and blow molding technologies. In combination with PP, either by blending and/ or in multi-layer structures, Purell KT MR 07 enhances key properties such as high flexibility, softness and transparency over a wide temperature range, translating into increased impact strength at zero and sub-zero temperatures and good resistance to steam sterilization.

As part of the Purell family of grades, this new PB-1 grade benefits from LyondellBasell’s Purell Service Concept offering dedicated manufacturing procedures and standards for products that ensure customer material requirements for the pharmaceutical and healthcare industry are met.

 More information about LyondellBasell can be found at www.lyb.com