Why PEEK Resin is the Gold Standard for Malema’s Single-Use Coriolis Flow Meters

The Strategic Shift: From Stainless Steel to Single-Use Bioprocessing

As the biopharmaceutical industry transitions from traditional stainless steel infrastructure to single-use technology (SUT), the demand for high-performance thermoplastics has surged. Malema, a leader in flow measurement, selected medical-grade PEEK (Polyetheretherketone) resin for its innovative single-use Coriolis flow meters—a critical component that played a vital role in the rapid scale-up of COVID-19 vaccine production.

Why PEEK is the Ideal Material for Coriolis Sensors?

Developing the industry’s first all-PEEK Coriolis flow meter required a material that could withstand extreme mechanical stress while maintaining absolute purity. PEEK resin outperformed other polymers due to several key physical properties:

• Exceptional Young’s Modulus: The high stiffness of PEEK ensures the structural integrity of the fluid path under continuous vibration, which is essential for achieving superior measurement accuracy and repeatability.
• Medical-Grade Purity (USP Class VI): PEEK meets the stringent USP Class VI standards, featuring extremely low extractables and leachables (E&L), ensuring the highest level of cleanliness in bioprocessing.
• Sterilization Compatibility: PEEK can withstand Gamma radiation sterilization without compromising its mechanical properties, making it ideal for cleanroom environments.

Technical Impact: Optimizing Critical Biopharma Processes

Malema’s PEEK-based flow meter is designed to measure mass flow, volume flow, temperature, and density simultaneously. Its chemical resistance and mechanical stability have significantly improved performance in:

• Tangential Flow Filtration (TFF)
• Depth Filtration
• Chromatography Operations

Expert Insight from Dan Malani, Chairman of Malema Sensors: “Single-use models have revolutionized pharmaceutical production by preventing contamination and increasing throughput. Our all-PEEK Coriolis flow meters are renowned for their high precision, a feat made possible by the unique physical characteristics of PEEK resin.”