CSP’s Enabling Technology
CSP Technologies is commercializing new patented materials derived from an entirely new class of polymers.  CSP engineers the polymers to control small molecule transport through the materials.  The underlying proprietary enabling technology allows for the creation of a microscopic co-continuous interconnecting channel morphology throughout a solid polymer structure. These channels provide pathways that facilitate migration of substances through the polymer, thus enabling a host of exciting new applications, including:
  • Polymers which preferentially absorb, scavenge or emit desired small molecules (e.g. Moisture, CO2, O2)
  • Materials which facilitate or retard the transport of one or more substances
  • Polymers with novel electronic or ionic transport properties
CSP’s engineered polymeric materials – the ACTIV-PAK family of products – are comprised of three components: :
  1. A polymer – any thermoplastic material, including, but not limited to, polypropylene, polyethylene, ABS, polystyrene, polycarbonate, Nylon, PVC, thermoplastic elastomers, polyester, and thermosets.
  2. A channeling agent – such as polyglycol, polyethylene glycol, EVOH, or glycerin.
  3. An active component/particulate – including, but not limited to, molecular sieve, silica gel, combination desiccants, zeolite, cations, biocides such as sodium chlorite  or hydrogen peroxide, herbicides, and pigments.
These three components are thoroughly mixed and processed to create a three-phase system which contains a network of interconnecting channels leading from the surface to the entrapped active particles.    The rate of migration through the interconnecting channels can be engineered by varying the percentages of the active component/particulate and channeling agent to meet customers’ specific kinetic and capacity needs.  Despite further downstream processing of the polymer blend, the channels maintain their integrity for the life of the product.
This unique polymer matrix technology enables active functionality of three types:
Absorption
Active components can be entrained in the interconnecting channels to create material with unique and efficient absorption capabilities.  The active components capture substances that migrate through the interconnecting transmitting channels into the polymer matrix.  ACTIV-PAK can be engineered to absorb moisture, gases (such as O2, CO2), volatile odors, off-flavors, and any chemically active molecule. 

Practical applications:

  • Containers for pharmaceutical nutriceutical, and personal care products which absorb moisture, maintain a constant, predetermined relative humidity, or scavenge undesired residual molecules in pharmaceutical preparations.  Oxygen scavenging at low relative humidity levels is also possible.
  • Fabrication of active functional parts of a drug delivery or diagnostic device that absorb moisture or gases, such as dry powder inhalers or diagnostic strips and meters.
  • Blister packs incorporating a desiccant film, providing unprecedented moisture control in this important pharmaceutical packaging configuration.
  • Protection of computer chips and other electronic components by incorporating desiccant and static control directly into the primary packaging.
  •   Integration of odor absorption into personal hygiene products such as diapers or tampons.
  • Protection of food or plants during transport with moisture, ethylene, O2, or CO2 absorbing packaging.
 Controlled Release
The CSP technology can also be used to release substances from a polymer.  The interconnecting channels are used to transport substances from the environment to the active component residing in the channels.  The substance then initiates a chemical reaction with the active component.  The reaction triggers the release of the desired agent, which then diffuses through the polymer matrix or through the channels into the surrounding environment.

Practical Applications:

  • Protection of garments, leather goods, electronic components or other products in transport from humid climates by incorporating a biocide-releasing film into primary packaging.
  • Promotion of dry sterilization in medical device packaging by releasing anti-microbial agents in a controlled manner.
  • Enhancement of taste or fragrance of various products with release of desirable fragrances and flavors from the primary container.
  • Protection of cosmetic formulations and extension of shelf life by incorporating a slow-release preservative into the primary container.
Transmission
The interconnecting channel technology can also be used to modify the transport properties of various polymers.  By combining an appropriate channeling agent and an active component/particulate with a polymer, ACTIV-PAK can be engineered to exhibit desired transmission rates for a variety of substances. 

Practical Applications:

  • Minimize loss incurred in the transportation of perishable products with packaging that controls transmission rates of CO2, O2 or moisture.
Full Design Flexibility with ACTIV-PAK
ACTIV-PAK provides full design flexibility and a spectrum of new design options by enabling the incorporation of environmental controls and functionality directly into primary packaging and across all forms of plastic. The materials have excellent mechanical properties and maintain their structural integrity.

For example, the polymer blend can be co-extruded with other materials and become an integral component of a blister pack.  ACTIV-PAK can also be co-injection molded, or multi-layer blow molded into a container with the active material protecting the contents while the outer layer insulates the engineered material.  The active material could also be injection molded to replace an existing plastic component in a device.  The new component would match the form and function of the existing part, and would additionally possess functional properties. ACTIV-PAK can also be made to change color when the active component reaches capacity.
The ACTIV-PAK Advantage
  • Reproducible, engineered solutions – shape, size, capacity and kinetics can be precisely controlled to conform exactly to application requirements.
  • Complete design flexibility – ACTIV-PAK can be extruded, blow-molded, injection molded – virtually anything one can do with conventional thermoplastics one can do with CSP polymer blends. 
  • Cost effective – eliminates costly and duplicate sourcing, handling, placement and inspection of separate packaging components required to date.  Promotes highest handling and assembly efficiencies.
  • Eliminates waste – no powder, dust, breakage, spills or yield loss associated with traditional desiccant products.
Intellectual Property
The unique and novel attributes of CSP’s technology are the basis for a large and growing patent portfolio.  Numerous basic composition of matter patents have been filed in the United States, EPO and other selected countries, and have received favorable office action.  These composition patents are augmented by process claims.  The initial patent has been granted by the U.S. Patent Office as U.S. Patent Number 5,911,937.  Applications patents are being filed as new uses for patented CSP materials are identified.
Operational Practices
  • CSP has manufacturing facilities in Auburn, Alabama and Straussburg, France and maintains ISO 9001-certification.
  • All CSP polymer blends are manufactured in a 5-grain (less than 5% humidity at 72º F.) dry room.
  • Conforms to the requirements of USP 23 Class VI for engineered thermoplastics.
  • Production equipment is linked through computer-integrated manufacturing (CIM) software, allowing real time Statistical Process Control (SPC) and Statistical Quality Control (SQC).  The use of CIM software allows for continuous monitoring of machine parameters throughout the production process.
  • Validations are performed on all manufacturing and testing equipment to guarantee data integrity.  A complete set of charts including Process Capability (CPK, CP, K) and the trend analysis is available upon request.
  • CSP Technologies conducts Failure Mode and Effects Analysis (FMEA) (Design and Process FMEAs) The use of SPC/SQC, FMEA and adherence to the ISO 9001 quality standards ensure a comprehensive Quality Assurance Program. 
Regulatory Compliance
  • Drug Master Drug File #14789 type III, Title:  Modified Thermoplastic Packaging Products.
  • CSP Technologies’ polymer blends can be manufactured from materials which are Generally Recognized as Safe (GRAS) by the FDA.  The materials meet both the In Vitro (Section 87) and In Vivo (Section 88) USP Biological Reactivity Test Criteria and are classified as Class VI plastics.

“CSP technology represents a paradigm shift in polymers.”

 - Prof. Robert Langer, MIT

“Technology which allows creation of stable, co-continuous, interpenetrating

channels of one polymer in another after the two are blended is a major

advance in the science of materials.”

-         Prof. Glen Fredrickson, UCSB
The CSP Technical Advisory Board
The CSP Technical Advisory Board actively participates in the development of strategic and practical application of the CSP co-continuous interpenetrating channel technology.

Dr. Glen Fredrickson

University of California – Santa Barbara

Chairman, Chemical Engineering

Dr. Alexander Klibanov

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Professor of Chemistry & Biochemistry

Member of National Academy of Science

Dr. Edward Kramer

University of California – Santa Barbara

(formerly from Cornell University)

Professor of Materials and Chemical Engineering

Co-author of Material Science & Technology

Dr. Robert Langer

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Professor of Chemical and Biomedical Engineering

Member of The National Academy of Sciences

Member of the FDA Advisory Committee

Dr. Robert Pangborn

Former VP Central R&D, Dow Chemical

©2000, CSP Technologies, Inc. CSP Technologies  logo, product, service names are trademarks of CSP Technologies. CSP Technologies retains copyright on all text and graphics. CSP reserves all other rights. CSP Technologies is constantly developing new and innovative plastic materials to meet the changing needs of its customers. Consequently, CSP reserves the right to discontinue or change specifications, designs or materials, without notice. Thus, as much as CSP believes the information to be accurate and complete, CSP can not warrant the accuracy or completeness of the information.

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CSP Technologies: Engineered polymeric materials and desiccants, including the ACTIV-PAK family of products. desiccant,Desiccants,Capitol Specialty Plastics,desicant,desicants,dessicant,dessicants,plastic,plastics,packaging,thermoplastic,pharmaceutical,absorption,adsorption,Capitol,Capital,vials,Silica Gel,Molecular Sieve,Zeolite,sieves,water,moisture,sorbants,sorbents,Specialty,relative humidity,Rh,control,desiccated,desorption,drying,humidity,biocidal,anti-microbial,beads,canisters,lozenges,packets,pillow,powder,pouch,sachets,tablets,pills,rolls,sheet,solutions,strips,film,indicator,medical,adsorption,scavengers,Sensitive,odour,odor,oxygen,polymer,protection,Activ-Pak,Activ-Guard,Activ-Tab,Activ-Strip,Activ-Vial,Activ-Dri,ActivDry,ActivPak,ActivGuard,ActivTab,ActivVial,Active,Tab,Pak,Guard,Dri,Dry,Channeling agentchannels,Strip,Modified Atmosphere Packaging,Active packaging,Transmission rates,mvtr,Moisture vapor transfer rate,Gas transmission,diagnostic,CSP,CSP technologies CSP Technologies is commercializing new patented materials derived from an entirely new class of polymers. CSP engineers the polymers to control small molecule transport through the materials. The underlying proprietary enabling technology allows for the creation of a microscopic co-continuous interconnecting channel morphology throughout a solid polymer structure. These channels provide pathways that facilitate migration of substances through the polymer, thus enabling a host of exciting new applications, including: Polymers which preferentially absorb, scavenge or emit desired small molecules (e.g. Moisture, CO2, O2) Materials which facilitate or retard the transport of one or more substances Polymers with novel electric or ionic transport properties. In a revolutionary new technological breakthrough, desiccants can now be integrated directly into plastics and molded or shaped into any product form with variabœx‰dsorption rates and capacities.