Yulex Introduces Optiprene Medical-Grade Natural Rubber Emulsions Made From Its Safe and Natural Alternative to H...( MARICOPA Ariz. Dec. 11 /- Yulex Corpo...),Health

MARICOPA, Ariz., Dec. 11 /PRNewswire/ -- Yulex Corporation announces the release of its ground-breaking line of Optiprene(TM) natural rubber emulsions. The line launches with four medical-grade formulations. Optiprene HA and KOA Natural Rubber Emulsions are formulated for use in surgical or examination gloves, medical adhesives, latex wound care products and catheters that are safe for people with latex allergies. Optiprene HA+2 and KOA+2 Natural Rubber Emulsion Compound Systems are vulcanize-on-demand emulsions intended for use in all dipped, cast, threaded, sprayed, foamed or sheeted medical device applications.

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All four Optiprene products are derived from the guayule shrub, an arid climate plant indigenous to the Southwest U.S.; are free from the proteins associated with Type 1 latex allergy; and are manufactured using Yulex Corporation's proprietary processes at its Maricopa, Ariz. facility.

"We've specially formulated Optiprene emulsions for those in the medical device industry seeking to make products with high-performance natural materials that are safe for people with latex allergy," said Jeffrey Martin, CEO at Yulex Corporation. "We know there is a strong need for natural rubber emulsions in the United States with up to 17 percent of health care workers suffering from latex allergy and 8.2 percent of the general population sensitized. Yulex is pleased to offer the only safe and natural alternative to Hevea."

New Optiprene HA uses Ammonium Hydroxide as a pH modifier and stabilizer while the KOA formulation uses Potassium Hydroxide. The +2 vulcanize-on-demand emulsions were developed for manufacturers that require extra-long shelf life for the uncompounded material.

"Traditional prevulcanized latex emulsions have a very short
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