The global medical device market is shifting from purely functional material choices to strategies that equally weigh environmental impact and patient safety. Thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU) is increasingly recognized as an alternative material for catheters and disposable medical consumables due to its chlorine- and plasticizer-free composition and its ability to meet biocompatibility and environmental regulations. TPU’s mechanical strength, durability, and processing versatility make it particularly competitive for long-term indwelling devices and applications requiring high structural stability.

Healthcare providers and procurement teams face a dual challenge: ensuring clinical safety and patient comfort while responding to hospital sustainability targets (ESG) and regulatory demands. TPU reduces environmental risk associated with plasticizers and chlorinated materials and offers a biocompatible, durable option for devices. For examples such as urinary catheters, nasogastric tubes, and tracheostomy tubes, TPU provides higher transparency, better kink resistance, and a broad Shore hardness range (60A–74D), giving clinicians greater flexibility in device selection.

On the industry side, localized and traceable supply chains have become critical. When suppliers can provide compliance documentation (e.g., USP Class VI, ISO 10993, REACH, RoHS) and support rapid prototyping and small-batch manufacturing, device manufacturers and hospitals can streamline procurement and accelerate time-to-market. Waste reduction and recyclability are also important components of hospital sustainability initiatives. If manufacturers adopt energy-efficient production and waste-minimization practices, it will contribute to reducing the overall carbon footprint of healthcare systems.

Looking forward, cross-disciplinary collaboration is essential. Materials scientists, clinicians, and manufacturing engineers should co-design products to ensure clinical suitability while maintaining process stability and environmental responsibility. Companies that embed green-materials thinking into their product strategies will not only strengthen brand competitiveness but also deliver safer, more sustainable long-term value to the healthcare ecosystem.