Toray Develops Hydrophilic Coating Material That Enhances Water Wettability of Silicone Materials by Over 20 Times
Key facts
- Toray Develops Hydrophilic Coating Material That Enhances Water Wettability of Silicone Materials by Over 20 Times
- Toray Industries, Inc. has developed a hydrophilic coating material that improves the water wettability of silicone materials by more than 20 times. With high durability, it is expected to be applied to medical devices such as contact lenses and catheters.
- Source: PR Times
- Date: June 18, 2026
Direct answer
Toray Industries, Inc. has developed a hydrophilic coating material that improves the water wettability of silicone materials by more than 20 times. With high durability, it is expected to be applied to medical devices such as contact lenses and catheters.
- Citation
- Toray Develops Hydrophilic Coating Material That Enhances Water Wettability of Silicone Materials by Over 20 Times (June 18, 2026), PR Times
- Source
- PR Times
- Date
- June 18, 2026
Toray Industries, Inc. has developed a hydrophilic coating material that improves the water wettability of silicone materials by more than 20 times. With high durability, it is expected to be applied to medical devices such as contact lenses and catheters.
📋 Article Processing Timeline
- 📰 Published: June 18, 2026 at 20:41
- 🔍 Collected: June 18, 2026 at 11:47
- 🤖 AI Analyzed: June 19, 2026 at 10:36 (22h 48m after Collected)
Toray Industries, Inc. (headquartered in Chuo-ku, Tokyo; President and CEO: Mitsuwo Oya; hereinafter "Toray") has developed a hydrophilic coating material that enhances the water wettability of silicone materials by over 20 times. This innovation enables durable hydrophilicity to be imparted to silicone materials, with broad applications anticipated in medical devices such as contact lenses.
Silicone materials are widely used in medical devices including contact lenses and catheters due to their flexibility and biocompatibility. However, their inherent hydrophobicity presents challenges in applications requiring water wettability and lubricity. For example, contact lenses may cause dryness or foreign body sensation, while catheters may suffer from reduced operability or occlusion risks. Although surface modification and material reformulation have been explored to improve hydrophilicity, these approaches often complicate manufacturing processes and have struggled to achieve sufficient hydrophilicity and durability for clinical use.
Leveraging its proprietary polymer molecular design and precision polymerization technologies, Toray has created a novel hydrophilic polymer with high affinity for silicone materials. By utilizing the self-organizing properties of this polymer, a highly durable, nanometer-thin hydrophilic coating layer can be easily formed on silicone surfaces. Due to its ultra-thin nature, the coating imparts hydrophilicity without compromising the inherent physical properties of the silicone material. For instance, by simply applying the hydrophilic polymer to the surface of commercially available silicone hydrogel and heating it, a hydrophilic coating layer of approximately 20 nm is formed. Compared to uncoated materials, water wettability improves by over 20 times, and the coefficient of friction is reduced by about 90%. Furthermore, these effects persist even after abrasive washing, demonstrating exceptional durability.
Application of this hydrophilic coating to contact lenses is expected to enhance comfort during extended wear. Additionally, since the coating has demonstrated suppression of biological component adhesion on silicone elastomers, its use in stents and catheters could reduce occlusion risks and improve operability through enhanced lubricity. Toray will now actively promote this coating material and expand its application to a wide range of medical device materials.
Going forward, Toray will continue striving to create healthcare products that support healthy, independent living by developing advanced materials and innovative technologies, aiming to realize a world where everyone can lead a healthy and hygienic life.
Silicone materials are widely used in medical devices including contact lenses and catheters due to their flexibility and biocompatibility. However, their inherent hydrophobicity presents challenges in applications requiring water wettability and lubricity. For example, contact lenses may cause dryness or foreign body sensation, while catheters may suffer from reduced operability or occlusion risks. Although surface modification and material reformulation have been explored to improve hydrophilicity, these approaches often complicate manufacturing processes and have struggled to achieve sufficient hydrophilicity and durability for clinical use.
Leveraging its proprietary polymer molecular design and precision polymerization technologies, Toray has created a novel hydrophilic polymer with high affinity for silicone materials. By utilizing the self-organizing properties of this polymer, a highly durable, nanometer-thin hydrophilic coating layer can be easily formed on silicone surfaces. Due to its ultra-thin nature, the coating imparts hydrophilicity without compromising the inherent physical properties of the silicone material. For instance, by simply applying the hydrophilic polymer to the surface of commercially available silicone hydrogel and heating it, a hydrophilic coating layer of approximately 20 nm is formed. Compared to uncoated materials, water wettability improves by over 20 times, and the coefficient of friction is reduced by about 90%. Furthermore, these effects persist even after abrasive washing, demonstrating exceptional durability.
Application of this hydrophilic coating to contact lenses is expected to enhance comfort during extended wear. Additionally, since the coating has demonstrated suppression of biological component adhesion on silicone elastomers, its use in stents and catheters could reduce occlusion risks and improve operability through enhanced lubricity. Toray will now actively promote this coating material and expand its application to a wide range of medical device materials.
Going forward, Toray will continue striving to create healthcare products that support healthy, independent living by developing advanced materials and innovative technologies, aiming to realize a world where everyone can lead a healthy and hygienic life.
FAQ
What is the key advantage of this hydrophilic coating?
It improves wettability by over 20x, reduces friction by 90%, and maintains durability even after abrasion.
Which medical devices can use this coating?
It is applicable to contact lenses, catheters, stents, and other silicone-based medical devices.
How is this different from conventional technologies?
Unlike complex and less durable prior methods, Toray's technology enables simple, durable hydrophilic coating.
How thick is the coating layer?
Approximately 20 nanometers, thin enough to preserve the base material's properties.
What are the future plans for this material?
Toray will actively promote it to medical device manufacturers for broader material applications.