Japanese fluorine maker doubles production of PTFE catheter linings to tackle market shortage

Polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) is used in the tubing to reduce friction, while fluorinated ethylene propylene (FEP) heat shrink tubing provides flexibility, clarity and lubricity
.
In all cases, these materials improve patient comfort and care efficiency
.

Junkosha, a Japanese fluoropolymer manufacturer, announced today that it is doubling its production capacity for polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) liners and peelable fluorinated ethylene propylene (FEP) heat-shrinkable materials
.

Junkosha established operations in the U.
S.
and Europe eight years ago and has reported rapid market share gains during that time
.
The company said the increase in production was aimed at addressing a "severe shortage" in the supply of vital components around the world
.
The new investment program will help address market-wide shortages of PTFE linings and FEP-based heat shrink tubing
.

“We believe this capacity expansion will help secure increased orders from existing customers and many new customers,” said Joe Rowan, president and CEO of Junkosha U.
S.
and Europe.
“We will see a gradual increase in capacity in early 2022.
, with a bigger impact in the second half of 2022.

”

In addition to their core business of small neurovascular and cardiovascular applications, Junkosha said they are also targeting larger-scale vascular technologies, such as structural hearts
.

The company said the investment would be deployed quickly, noting that it was a measure of an already planned increase in capacity
.
Kazuhiko Arai, director of operations at Junkosha Group, said: "We are moving quickly to bring this capacity online quickly using our existing infrastructure in Japan
.
We intend to increase our ability to be close to our US and EU customers
.
"