Description

Laboratory containers and reservoirs (V-shape, 8-channel, 12-channel) are one-use supply or re-usable accessories allowing repetitive sterilization involved in routine, research and educational activities in the field of life sciences, for example in biotechnology and molecular biology. Commonly used materials are PS, PE or PP. Products available on the market often suffer of poor shape and dimensional stability with temperature when autoclaved or of high pricing level.

The company is looking for a manufacturer/subcontractor who has a confirmed experience in making precise containers by thermoforming in top clean manufacturing environment. These products have to be 3D designed according to high specifications. Simulations have to be performed to guaranty minimum residual stress in parts in order to sustain repetitive autoclaving at 121°C without shape and dimensional changes.

Technical Specifications / Specific technical requirements of the request

The manufacturing partner should be able to make reservoir parts with the following characteristics :

• Thermoforming of pure PP or alloys with minimal internal stress, temperature resistance.
• Good shape and dimensional stability up to 125°C, for devices to be used in laboratory, typically for in-vitro diagnostic.
• Shape stability, meaning that the reservoirs can have a slight dimensional shrinkage, which has to be homothetic.
• A metallocene grade could be useful to improve processability.

The manufacturing partner should have :

• engineering capacity to design
• integrated packaging and sterilization (ionization or ethylene oxide) facilities
• flexibility in delivery of small and medium series of product (between 10 000 and 40 000 reservoirs/serie)
• very competitive pricing.

Collaboration Type

• Transfer of knowledge in new raw materials
• New way to use an existing production line

Comments

• Type of partner sought: preferably SME, but large companies are welcome if competitive prices for small and medium series.
• Specific area of activity of the partner: involved in the manufacture of autoclavable plastic parts or containers with expertise in thermoforming of pure PP polymers or corresponding alloys. Equipped with a clean room.
•  Task to be performed by the partner sought: developing/designing/manufacturing precision reservoirs including packaging and, if possible, sterilization (ionization or ETO)

Ref: 12 CH 84FB 3NZ5