GC, a leading company delivering chemical innovations under the concept of ‘Chemistry for Better Living,’ continues to develop R&D practices in chemical and plastic innovations for the medical community helping elevate the quality of life of all Thais. Our chemical and plastic-based knowledge and products from GC Group are being used to produce personal protective equipment (PPE) which helps improve operational capacities in public health and provides patients with greater access to health services.

In the midst of the COVID-19 crisis, chemical and plastic innovations for the medical community are playing a significant and integral role in handling and treating patients, and have become indispensable items for medical and healthcare workers who are helping the country in the fight against COVID-19, and who are at a much higher risk of being infected while performing their duties and helping save lives. They are also facing shortages of medical equipment further placing them at risk. Therefore, it’s critical that we improve the safety of medical professionals.

Examples of chemical and plastic innovations for medical professions:

1. Colostomy Bag for colon cancer patients, used to collect waste from the body, made of linear low-density polyethylene (LLDPE), and produced in partnership with Songklanagarind Hospital and the Faculty of Medicine, Prince of Songkla University.

2. Human Body and Organ Bag used to keep the body or brain in an isolated space under a nearly vacuum state, used in instructional activities, made of linear low-density polyethylene (LLDPE)/low-density polyethylene (LDPE) (Film), and produced in partnership with the Faculty of Medicine, Siriraj Hospital, Mahidol University, and Thantawan Industry Plc. (Thailand).

3. Blood Collector used to collect blood after spontaneous vaginal delivery, made of linear low-density polyethylene (LLDPE)/low-density polyethylene (LDPE) (Film) and made in partnership with the Faculty of Medicine, Siriraj Hospital, Mahidol University.

4. Fluid Collector used to collect solutions in operating rooms, made of linear low-density polyethylene (LLDPE)/low-density polyethylene (LDPE) (Film), and produced in partnership with Faculty of Medicine Siriraj Hospital, Mahidol University.

5. Bio Plastic Cups for patients with infectious diseases used as a single-use food container for COVID-19 patients, made of bio-based PBS (BioPBS), and produced in partnership with the Faculty of Medicine Ramathibodi Hospital.

6. 3D Anatomical Models for Surgical Planning and Clinical Training designed to create models using 3D printing technology for medical learning and teaching activities, in partnership with the Faculty of Medicine, Siriraj Hospital, Mahidol University, and the Faculty of Medicine Ramathibodi Hospital, consisting of:

• Spine Model used for operative planning of a brain herniation, made of Nylon 11.
• Skull Model used for the study of the human skull, made of Nylon 11.
• Ear Bone Model used for the study of the ear bone system, made of ABS/carbon fiber filled PLA.
• Brace Cover made of acrylate derivatives (photo-monomer).

7. Research and Development of Orthoses for Disabled Marine Creatures - Extreme Plus Sea Turtle Prostheses initiated to develop prosthetic legs for injured sea turtles from fishing devices and blades, resulting in their legs being amputated to prevent infarction and infections, made of carbon fiber filled nylon and acrylate derivatives (photo-monomer), and produced in partnership with Chulalongkorn University’s Department of Marine and Coastal Resources, and PTT Group.

8. Automated Peritoneal Dialysis (APD) Machine for patients with kidney failure, made of polystyrene (PS), and produced in partnership with the Faculty of Medicine, Siriraj Hospital, Mahidol University, and the Faculty of Medicine, Ramathibodi Hospital.

9. Accessories and Tools for an Automated Peritoneal Dialysis (APD) Machine used to collect solutions for patients using a peritoneal dialysis machine, made of polypropylene (PP), and produced in partnership with the Faculty of Medicine, Siriraj Hospital, Mahidol University, and the Faculty of Medicine, Ramathibodi Hospital.

10. Continuous Ambulatory Peritoneal Dialysis (CAPD) Bag used to collect dialysis solution, made of polypropylene (PP), and produced in partnership with the Faculty of Medicine, Siriraj Hospital, Mahidol University, and the Faculty of Medicine, Ramathibodi Hospital.

11. Orthosis Sheet used for patients with orthosis, made of polypropylene (PP), and produced in partnership with the Faculty of Medicine, Siriraj Hospital, Mahidol University.

12. Upcycled Cloth made of recycled PET bottles for use in hospitals such as curtains, doctor’s gowns, nurses uniforms, staff uniforms, bedsheets, and pillow cases, produced in partnership with the Faculty of Medicine, Ramathibodi Hospital.

13. Feasibility Study on Innovative Developments in Cancer Treatments with Cellular Immunotherapy initiated to study the feasibility of investing in medical innovations in Thailand to adopt emerging technologies in support of social sustainability, conducted in partnership with the Faculty of Medicine, Chulalongkorn University. This study will help to replace drug and technology imports from abroad and reduce import costs by more than 50%.

14. Development of Medical Equipment and Technology to Treat Heart Failure initiated to harness emerging medical technologies to save the lives of patients with heart failure, in partnership with the Siriraj Foundation, leading domestic public and private organizations, and NirvaMed Inc.

An important example of the support for medical professionals in the fight against COVID-19 in Thailand is GC’s production of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) for use in hospitals and medical facilities nationwide, including disposable gowns used to prevent the transmission of infections made under “InnoPlus,” GC’s brand of polyethylene (PE) products. GC also partnered with the Faculty of Medicine, Vajira Hospital, Navamindradhiraj University to use chemical and plastic materials for professional grade protective suits and powered, air purifying respirators (PAPRs) for use by medical and healthcare workers in operating rooms and intensive care units (ICUs), helping prevent the transmission of severe COVID-19 cases from super spreaders. Finally, GC is collaborating with Thai Bev to produce alcohol gel sanitizer using GC’s glycerin as a main feedstock.

GC will continue to support and engage in the discovery of new research and developments in chemical and plastic innovations to produce valuable devices and equipment that facilitate and benefit the medical community, and which elevate the quality of life of Thais ensuring we successfully get through this critical period.