Toyochem Co., Ltd. has launched a new healthcare-use line of pressure-sensitive adhesives (PSAs) under its Oribain™ brand of acrylic adhesive solutions. The new PSA system addresses the demand for medical tapes and surgical dressing materials that offer high moisture absorbency and breathability, thus minimizing skin maceration and infection. The company reports that the adhesive compositions are based on acrylics (not silicones) and do not contain any substances that may contaminate coating environments or cause costly bonding issues.

Conventional pressure-sensitive acrylic adhesives commonly used in modern medical tapes tend to exhibit low moisture permeability and to easily trap heat and water vapors released from the skin. This often leads to skin irritation, skin maceration, rashes, and even bacterial growth. To address this issue, Toyochem researchers applied its advanced resin synthesis technology to form a polymeric composition that substantially raises the moisture permeability rate of the adhesive layer.