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Americhem Rolls Out PFAS-free Lubricants for Medical DevicesAmerichem Rolls Out PFAS-free Lubricants for Medical Devices

The company debuts its EcoLube MD line of internally lubricated compounds less than a year after kicking off the EcoLube line, building on its commitment to addressing wear and friction issues in plastic components.

David Hutton

January 30, 2025

4 Min Read
plastic gears
Americhem’s launch of the EcoLube line in 2024 builds on the company's commitment to address wear and friction issues in plastic components. Image credit: alan64/iStock via Getty Images

Americhem Inc. has introduced the EcoLube MD line of PFAS-free, internally lubricated compounds specifically designed for medical devices and other healthcare applications.

Headquartered in Cuyahoga Falls, Ohio, Americhem specializes in custom color masterbatch, additives, synthetic fibers, engineered plastic compounds (TPE), and performance technologies. 

The company noted the launch of the EcoLube line in 2024 builds on its commitment to addressing wear and friction issues in plastic components. 

According to the company, EcoLube MD pre-lubricated engineered compounds and alloys are designed to reduce wear and friction in moving plastic parts, minimize noise during operation, and lower the coefficient of friction in plastic-on-plastic and plastic-on-metal applications. The company noted the compounds, which are PFAS-free, are made for a range of end-use applications, including minimally invasive surgical devices, syringe pumps, prosthetics, surgical robots, and more.

Matt Miklos, vice president/general manager of Americhem’s engineered compounds division, said healthcare OEMs continue to express a desire for sustainability and assurances that new products meet current and future regulations.

“With regulations around the world potentially restricting or banning the use of PFAS and PTFE, healthcare OEMs are challenged with finding alternatives that can match their self-lubricating performance,” Miklos said. and helping them stay ahead in their respective markets.”

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Milkos highlighted that 2024 has been a year of product innovation at Americhem, with the company focusing on solutions that add value for customers, particularly in sustainability, performance, and color.

"EcoLube MD is a new product line we've recently launched in the healthcare segment," he explained. "Currently, clients are testing prototype parts using this product, and early feedback suggests it offers improved moldability compared to other products on the market."

As the company developed a PFAS-free lubricant solution for medical devices, Americhem focused on ensuring EcoLube MD met the high standards required for healthcare applications.

"Americhem is known for customizing products to meet the performance, conversion processes, color, and aesthetic needs of our customers," Milkos noted. "Creating a PFAS-free solution meant balancing several key properties, including processability, dimensional stability, thermal and chemical resistance, and lubricity."

Milkos also emphasized that PTFE, which works well across a wide range of applications, required Americhem to test various chemistries to find the best fit.

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As global regulations around PFAS tighten, the demand for PFAS-free solutions is expected to grow, particularly in healthcare and medical device markets. Milkos believes this trend could benefit Americhem.

"The demand for PFAS-free solutions like EcoLube MD will continue to increase," he said. "This shift will drive a transition from PTFE/PFAS to non-PFAS alternatives, influenced by stricter global regulations and sustainability goals set by OEMs."

Enhancing medical devices with performance and compliance

Linda Boyett, Americhem’s Vice President of Global Technology & Innovation, explained that EcoLube MD has undergone rigorous testing for both performance and biocompatibility.

"Our internal testing has shown that EcoLube MD performs similarly to traditional lubricants and wear-resistant additives in most cases," Boyett said. "It has also passed ISO 10993-5 biocompatibility testing, which is a key global medical compliance certification."

"ISO 10993-5 biocompatibility testing is critical for medical devices, and we’re proud that EcoLube MD meets these standards while supporting both sustainability and performance in the healthcare industry," she added.

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Milkos further noted that EcoLube MD is also compliant with REACH and RoHS regulations.

Additionally, Americhem pointed out that the EcoLube product line integrates specially designed functional additives directly into the material, providing long-lasting lubrication from within.

Americhem has formulated EcoLube compounds using a broad range of base resins, including ABS, PBT, PCABS, PC, PEI, PPE, PPS, PE, PP, PSU, PPSU, POM, PEEK, PPA, PA, and TPU.

"We take pride in our ability to customize products to meet the performance, conversion processes, color, and aesthetic requirements of each end-market," Milkos said. "By working closely with our customers, we refine specifications and develop new technologies to address their unique needs and sustainability goals."

Expansion in India

Americhem also announced the opening of a new research and development center in Silvassa, India. The 4,000-square-foot facility, located at Olive Industrial Park, is designed to enhance the company's ability to deliver faster, more localized service to customers across India and Southeast Asia.

The center will focus on specialized testing services for masterbatch color development, with an emphasis on melt spinning and textile manufacturing applications. It will also offer field and technical services tailored to customers' specific needs. This laboratory is part of Americhem’s strategy to expand into new markets by enhancing its capabilities in custom color matching and accelerating response times.

The expansion is expected to attract new customers, especially in industries where speed and supply chain efficiency are critical.

About the Author

David Hutton

David Hutton is a journalist with more than 25 years of experience as an editor and writer with daily newspapers and trade publications. 

A Kent State University graduate, he was born in Canton, Ohio, and is a lifelong writer. David started his professional career as a reporter and page designer with the Parkersburg Sentinel in Parkersburg, West Virginia. He returned to his hometown, taking a role with the Massillon Independent, where he rose to the position of managing editor.

David’s career next took him to October Research Corp., where he worked for trade publications in the real estate settlement services industry before returning to daily newspapers as news editor for The Times-Reporter in Dover-New Philadelphia, Ohio. While there, he oversaw design of the newspaper and won an Associated Press award for Best Page 1 Design. 

In 2012, David joined the staff of Plastics News as research analyst. He was responsible for the production of data research reports providing analysis of various segments and end markets of the plastics industry. He also produced content for the publication. 

In 2019, David joined Ophthalmology Times, serving as managing editor of the publication covering the latest advancements in the ophthalmology industry for physicians and clinicians. 

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