Polyvantis to showcase films for microfluidic healthcare devices

NEWS RELEASE: Built on Experience, Driven by Innovation: POLYVANTIS Highlights Microfluidics Film Portfolio at K 2025

Microfluidic lab-on-a-chip technology [Photo courtesy of POLYVANTIS]

Düsseldorf, Germany — Microfluidics is reshaping the future of healthcare and diagnostics — powering rapid point-of-care testing, lab-on-a-chip systems, and advanced biochemical analysis. However, the success of this fast-growing field depends on materials that combine optical precision, biocompatibility, and scalable manufacturability. At K 2025, POLYVANTIS will showcase how its PLEXIGLAS polymethylmethacrylate (PMMA) and EUROPLEX Cyclic Olefin Copolymer (COC) films meet these demands, delivering dependable, innovative solutions for device makers worldwide.

Microfluidic lab-on-a-chip technology integrates laboratory functions onto a single chip, enabling rapid, precise analysis of small fluid volumes. To perform reliably, these devices require exceptional optical clarity for accurate readouts, chemical and thermal resistance for stability, and straightforward processing for efficient production. POLYVANTIS’ portfolio of PLEXIGLAS and EUROPLEX films addresses these challenges head-on, offering complementary strengths that set a new standard for the industry.

Solving the industry’s toughest challenges with innovative film technology

• Optical precision: PLEXIGLAS PMMA films deliver exceptional brilliance and UV transparency (>90% at 315 nm for Film 0F301), while EUROPLEX COC films provide excellent light transmission with very low autofluorescence.
• Fluid control: PLEXIGLAS PMMA films feature the highest surface energy among polymers used in microfluidics, enabling laminar flow in microchannels.
• Chemical and thermal resistance: EUROPLEX COC films withstand solvents, acids, and bases, and are available in two versions—0F304 (Tg 78 °C) and 0F305 (Tg 142 °C)—to meet diverse thermal demands.
• Biocompatibility and sterilization: Both film families are biocompatible; EUROPLEX COC films comply with the European Pharmacopoeia, Monograph 3.1.3 “Polyolefins.”
• Processing versatility: Both films are easily processed by laser cutting and suitable for thermal, solvent, ultrasonic, and laser bonding.

Built on experience. Driven by innovation.

With decades of expertise in acrylic chemistry and film engineering, POLYVANTIS delivers reliable products and services on a global scale. Cleanroom manufacturing, in-house customization, and tailored formats—from thickness and lamination to precision cutting— make POLYVANTIS uniquely positioned to support customers from prototype to commercialization.

“Microfluidics is transforming how the world approaches diagnostics and healthcare, and our role is to make that transformation possible at scale,” said Ravi Menon, EVP Commercial – Specialties at POLYVANTIS. “Built on experience and driven by innovation, POLYVANTIS is uniquely positioned to support our customers with dependable solutions and global reach, helping them bring breakthrough technologies to market faster and with greater confidence.”

Attendees are invited to visit POLYVANTIS at Hall 8B, D27 at K 2025 to see PLEXIGLAS and EUROPLEX COC films for microfluidics, meet with experts, and explore how these advanced materials are driving the future of microfluidic technology.

POLYVANTIS materials medical applications

Our materials are helping to shape the future of medical technology across diagnostics, packaging, and patient care. For point-of-care diagnostics and lab-on-a-chip (LOAC) systems, our EUROPLEX® COC films (0F304 and 0F305) are widely selected because of their high clarity, UV transmission (including far UV), low autofluorescence, and chemical resistance. These properties make them ideal for optical detection methods such as fluorescence and colorimetry, which are used to identify diseases and biomarkers like COVID-19, influenza A/B, glucose, and cancer indicators. In practice, 0F304 has been used in LOAC devices that measure respiratory viruses, while 0F305 withstands higher temperatures for PCR-based microfluidic systems.

In parallel, PLEXIGLAS® PMMA film (0F301) offers the same high optical performance and has been applied in LOAC devices analyzing blood cells, such as T cells, as well as foodborne pathogens. Together, these films enable sensitive and reliable biochemical analysis while ensuring compatibility with reagents.

Beyond microfluidics, POLYVANTIS films serve critical roles in other medical applications:

• LEXAN™ 8040 / 8045 films for sterilizable medical packaging, ensuring safe distribution. These films are also USP Class 6 compliant + FDA certified.
• LEXAN™ 8010 polished two-side film for medical face shields.
• LEXAN™ HP (High Performance) films-series hard-coated films for durable medical labels, overlays, and lenses that resist chemicals and abrasion. These films have a variety of gloss and texture finishes ranging from 92 to 1.
• LEXAN™ Graphic-grade films (8B35, 8A35, 8B35F, 8A37) used in printed overlays, durable labels.

This broad material portfolio allows device makers to combine precision optical detection, biochemical compatibility, and safety-critical durability—supporting innovations from point-of-care diagnostic devices to protective medical equipment.

About POLYVANTIS

POLYVANTIS is a global, multi-material player with some of the most coveted and iconic brands in the industry – such as PLEXIGLAS for polymethylmethacrylate semi-finished products and LEXAN™ for polycarbonate sheets and films. With 1,500 employees and 15 production sites worldwide, POLYVANTIS offers unmatched global capabilities, providing customers with innovative solutions in sheet and film for the building and construction, electrical and electronics, automotive, air and rail, healthcare and security, and lighting and signage markets. To learn more about the latest at POLYVANTIS, follow us on LinkedIn or our website.

The opinions expressed in this news release are the author’s only and do not necessarily reflect those of Medical Design & Outsourcing or its employees.