We’ve spoken previously about the performance and time savings benefits of the dissolvable film packaging for medical waste solidifiers. However, there are additional benefits to these packs; notably surrounding the storage and shipping aspects when compared to traditional bottle products. 

Superabsorbent polymer (SAP) is commonly used in the manufacturing of ice packs used in the shipping of frozen and refrigerated food packaging.

Fisheyes are denoted as globs or conglomerates of SAP gellant that do not readily hydrate when combined with water.

When people refer to superabsorbent polymer (SAP), they often are referring to sodium polyacrylate which is the absorbent commonly found in diapers and other sanitary hygiene products.

Sodium polyacrylate is produced globally by several major suppliers through the polymerization, or chain building, of acrylic acid neutralized with sodium forming a sodium salt.

Zappa Stewart supplies a wide range of SuperAbsorbent Polymers (SAPs). Most SAPs are surface cross linked (referred to as SXM) and are widely used in diapers and hygiene products. However, there are also non-surface cross linked SAP’s (often referred to as pre-surface crosslinked or PSXM for short) that have unique properties and are well suited for specific applications.

Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) and its cause, SARS-CoV-2, have taken a solid grip on both the US and the world, causing significant loss of life and economic destruction. The public in general now has a heightened awareness around not only this current coronavirus, but the potential for future viruses and pandemics as well. This only adds to the pressure hospitals and other healthcare centers have been under to reduce Hospital Acquired Infections (HAIs), which, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), affect roughly 1 in every 31 hospital patients across the United States.

With the recent COVID-19 pandemic caused by the novel SARS-CoV-2 virus, infection control within the healthcare environment is more important than ever before. Management of potentially infectious waste needs to be strictly followed in order to keep our healthcare workers, material handlers, truck drivers and others safe from potentially virulent material.  Taking full precautions and maintaining compliance with existing regulations support employees’ health and safety, which in turn benefits hospitals and other service companies that depend on said employees.

Before starting a discussion on how Zappa Stewart solidifiers allow compliance, let’s first understand the regulations with which a product/business must comply.

The new coronavirus epidemic, COVID-19, which originated in Wuhan China, causing severe respiratory illness, has brought a heightened level of both awareness and panic to the general public regarding the spread of viruses and infections in general. This only adds to the pressure hospitals and other healthcare centers have been under to reduce Hospital Acquired Infections (HAIs), which, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), affect roughly 1 in every 31 hospital patients across the United States.

Have you ever wondered how those thin pads under your ribeye steak absorb and hold so much liquid?  Yet a similar size paper towel can only absorb a fraction of the same volume and releases the liquid when any pressure is applied.  

Zappa-Stewart supplies large volumes of sodium polyacrylate superabsorbent polymers (SAPs) to many industrial and consumer sectors.  Hot/cold packs, the gel-filled packaging that accompanies perishable online grocery deliveries, is one specific SAP application that is experiencing explosive growth in demand.  With the increased demand for SAPs in the hot/cold pack market, we have also received an increasing volume of questions from customers and end users about ways that SAPs can be repurposed, rather than simply tossed in the garbage. It’s a great question and fortunately for millions of consumers across the globe, we have some answers.

Which Are Better?

The decision to introduce waste solidification is a great step forward in the fight to control and mitigate the risk for hospital-acquired infection.  However, once the decision to solidify fluid wastes is made, the next concern is which packaging format to introduce self-dissolving packs or bottles.