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Kraton™ G1646 Polymer Enhances Comfort and Security for Medical Face Masks

Case Study:

Address Global Shortage of Face Masks

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the medical market saw a significant increase in demand for face masks, including elastic and filter components used to produce them. However, shortages in elastic strands, ribbons and polymer supply created a challenge for companies looking to improve stretch recovery. The high demand impacted film and hygiene manufacturers looking to convert their production lines to accommodate face mask needs. In one example, the elastic film used for diaper components was improved to make elastic ear loops for face masks by converting and repurposing a diaper production line. To do this, they needed to improve ten-sile strength, maximize rebound strength for higher elasticity, and improve thermal stability for manufacturing at high-speed outputs of greater than 500 pieces per hour.

Improve Thermal Stability and Melt Flow

A film and hygiene manufacturer selected Kraton™ G1646 polymer as an improvement in process and user performance compared to polyolefin elastomers. The Kraton G1646 grade is a hydrogenated styrenic block copolymer (HSBC) offering thermal stability and melt flow for film production. The product is compatible with polypropylene, so thermal bonding techniques can be applied. This eliminates the need for stapling or sewing straps, leading to a higher production output. Kraton G1646 polymer has no observable raw material odor, so there is no offensive smell during usage.

Enhance Comfort and Secure Fit for 8 Hours

Face masks employing the Kraton G1646 polymer are more stable at body temperature over a long-use period compared to masks employing polyolefin elastomers, enabling a more secure fit over time. With Kraton G1646 polymer, the elastic material is softer than polyolefin elastomers, leading to enhanced comfort. Its soft retention forces leave no red marks on the skin or around the ears, even after eight hours of wear in current product designs. The 100-percent re-processable polymer enables the manufacturer to meet production goals in a collective effort to address the global face mask shortage while offering high quality, more comfortable equipment.

Challenge

Enable film and hygiene manufacturer to convert existing diaper production lines to produce medical face masks that are comfortable for healthcare users while addressing the global shortage.

Solution

Use Kraton G1646 polymer to make ear loops for face masks due to its thermal stability and improved processability, while enabling higher production output.

Results

Produce face masks with elastic ear loops that achieve a more secure fit and enhanced comfort, leaving no red marks on the skin even after 8 hours of wear in the current design.

LEGAL DISCLAIMER

Kraton Corporation and all of its affiliates, including Kraton Chemical, believe the information set forth herein to be true and accurate, but any recommendations, presentations, statements or suggestions that may be made are without any warranty or guarantee whatsoever, and shall establish no legal duty on the part of any Kraton affiliated entity. The legal responsibilities of any Kraton affiliate with respect to the products described herein are limited to those set forth in Kraton’s Conditions of Sale or any effective sales contract. NOTE TO USER: by ordering/ receiving Kraton product you accept the Kraton Conditions of Sale applicable in the region. All other terms are rejected. Kraton does not warrant that the products described herein are suitable for any particular uses, including, without limitation, cosmetics and/or medical uses. Persons using the products must rely on their own independent technical and legal judgment, and must conduct their own studies, registrations, and other related activities, to establish the safety and efficacy of their end products incorporating any Kraton products for any application. Nothing set forth herein shall be construed as a recommendation to use any Kraton product in any specific application or in conflict with any existing patent rights. Kraton reserves the right to withdraw any product from commercial availability and to make any changes to any existing commercial or developmental product. Kraton expressly disclaims, on behalf of all Kraton affiliates, any and all liability for any damages or injuries arising out of any activities relating to the use of any information set forth in this publication, or the use of any Kraton products.

*KRATON, the Kraton logo, and tagline are either trademarks or registered trademarks of Kraton Corporation, or its subsidiaries or affiliates, in one or more, but not all countries.

©2020 Kraton Corporation

Sustainable Solutions. Endless Innovation.™

Kraton Corporation (NYSE:KRA)For more information, visit our website at www.kraton.com or email info@kraton.com

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About Kraton Corporation

Kraton Corporation (NYSE “KRA”) is a leading global producer of styrenic block copolymers, specialty polymers and high-value performance products derived from pine wood pulping co-products. Kraton’s polymers are used in a wide range of applications, including adhesives, coatings, consumer and personal care products, sealants and lubricants, and medical, packaging, automotive, paving, roofing and footwear products. As the largest global provider in the pine chemicals industry, the company’s pine-based specialty products are sold into adhesive, road and construction and tire markets, and it produces and sells a broad range of performance chemicals into markets that include fuel additives, oilfield chemicals, coatings, metalworking fluids and lubricants, inks, flavors and fragrances and mining. Kraton offers its products to a diverse customer base in over 70 countries worldwide.