Shelf Life Saves Lives: Extended Diagnostics Kit Protection Through Materials Science

Enhancing Diagnostics Testing with Advanced Packaging Solutions

In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, a leading diagnostics device company developed a rapid test that provides results in just 22 minutes with higher accuracy at a lower cost. However, their initial cartridge material, biaxially oriented polypropylene (BOPP), offered inadequate moisture protection, limiting its shelf life to just 3-6 months—far below the 18-24 months required for effective distribution, especially in underserved regions. Faced with this challenge, the company turned to TekniPlex Healthcare for a robust solution. TekniPlex Healthcare materials science team engineered a custom film that maintained critical transparency for optimal light transmission while providing long-term moisture protection. Through rapid development and testing, they delivered a new polypropylene substrate that not only met the shelf life requirements but also ensured contamination-free production in an automated cleanroom environment.