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Pharmaceutical drugs must be injected smoothly to ensure patient comfort and accurate dosing. Silicone oil is often used as a lubricant to reduce friction during injection. It is applied with carrier solvents, which coat the needle or syringe with a thin layer of silicone oil. Carrier solvents play a vital role in drug delivery, ensuring the safety and efficacy of medical needles and syringes.
This is where fluorosolvents—particularly AGC’s AMOLEA™ solvents—offer next-generation performance. These solvents deliver precise silicone application without leaving harmful residues or affecting drug formulations.
Types of Silicone Oil Carrier Solvents
Silicone oil carrier solvents include fluorosolvents, hydrocarbon solvents and bio-based solvents—each suited for different applications.
Fluorosolvents
Fluorosolvents have high solubility, which enables them to dissolve nonpolar compounds, making them ideal carrier solvents for silicone oil. They are suited for precision devices such as auto-injectors, which require consistent dosing. Unlike other solvents, fluorosolvents are non-flammable, reducing the risk of injury during handling.
Hydrocarbon Solvents
Derived from the distillation of crude oil, these low-cost solvents are used in high-volume syringe production. However, they are highly flammable, even at room temperature. In addition, certain types such as n-propyl bromide (nPB), are considered hazardous air pollutants (HAPs) by the Environmental Protection Agency and are linked to serious health issues, including chemical burns and lung damage.
Bio-Based Solvents
Made from renewable feedstocks such as plant oils, sugars or agricultural waste, these solvents are more sustainable than hydrocarbon solvents. Despite high solubility and low carbon emissions, their cost, limited availability and specialized production requirements restrict widespread adoption. Their use is limited to specific applications.
5 Key Advantages of Fluorosolvents for Silicone Oil Delivery
1. Uniform Silicone Coating
Silicone oil is thick and difficult to spread. Fluorosolvents dissolve and distribute silicone oil evenly, forming a thin, consistent layer on the needle or syringe after evaporation. This improves lubrication for smoother needle or plunger movement during injections.
2. Compliance with Safety and Environmental Standards
Fluorosolvents are safer for the environment than traditional solvents (nPB) and chlorinated solvents (trichloroethylene and perchloroethylene). They are:
- Chemically and thermally stable, making them reliable across a range of temperatures and production conditions.
- Free of ozone-depleting substances, meeting stringent environmental regulations.
- Recyclable via distillation.
- Non-flammable
They help meet evolving global regulations—such as the EU’s 2020 ban on nPB and upcoming U.S. restrictions.
3. Minimal Drug Interactions
One of the primary concerns with traditional silicone oil carriers is the potential for interaction with drug formulations, leading to particle formation or reduced efficacy. The inert properties of fluorosolvents ensures low reactivity, minimizing interaction with drug formulations. This preserves drug stability and efficacy throughout shelf life.
4. Reduced Particle Formation
Subvisible particles in injectable drugs can pose significant risks, including the triggering of immunogenic responses in patients. Fluorosolvents support a stable silicone layer that reduces the risk of subvisible particles being generated during storage and administration.
5. Faster Production, Higher Efficiency
With low surface tension and high volatility, fluorosolvents dry quickly, boosting throughput and ensuring product quality.
Enhance Silicone Oil Delivery with AMOLEA AS-300 Series
AGC Chemicals’ AMOLEA AS-300 and AS-300AT series of high-purity fluorosolvents for use as silicone oil carriers in injection needle production. They provide excellent solubility, leave no residue and support efficient drug delivery. They are compatible with a broad range of materials, including metals, plastics, elastomers and delicate substrates.
Key benefits:
- Non-flammable and require no explosion-proof equipment
- Energy efficient due to the latent heat of vaporization
- Low global warming potential (LGWP) (<1)
- Chemically stable
- Competitive pricing with 3M, Chemours and Honeywell solvents
- Optimal boiling point of 54 °C
Reliable Supply
AMOLEA fluorosolvents are stored in U.S.-based warehouses on both coasts for easy access. They are readily available in small batch quantities for testing and other applications. AGC manufactures these solvents in Japan, ensuring supply-chain reliability to minimize potential disruptions.
Proven Industry Adoption and Support
AMOLEA fluorosolvents are already in use by pharmaceutical companies for silicone oil dispersion on needles. AGC is an ideal solution partner for syringe and needle manufacturers, offering its customers:
- Technical consultation
- Equipment and process recommendations
- A single-component formulation (AS-300) — unlike some competitors who blend solvents like t-DCE
Future-Ready Solvent Technology
The global transition away from hazardous and regulated solvents is accelerating. As injectable drug formulations become more complex and sensitive, the materials used in device manufacturing must rise to meet stricter safety, performance and regulatory demands.
As regulatory scrutiny and performance standards tighten, AMOLEA AS-300 series fluorosolvents provide a clean, efficient alternative to traditional carrier solvents. They help manufacturers meet regulatory challenges while improving product quality and protecting patients.
For more information on AMOLEA products, visit our web page or make a product inquiry.
