Kraton Performance Polymers, Inc. ( KRA - Snapshot Report ) will feature its Cariflex polyisoprene products at MEDTEC Europe, scheduled to be held in Stuttgart, Germany, from Feb 26–28. These products are used in high performance medical applications, where they act as a substitute for natural rubber.

The company, at MEDTEC Europe, will make a technical presentation titled "Super clean polyisoprene polymer and latex for high performance medical devices" on Feb 27. The presentation will focus on how Cariflex polyisoprene products protect health care professionals and consumers from infection, contamination and allergic reactions. Detailed, comparative performance data in specific applications such as medical stoppers and surgical gloves will be provided during the presentation.

Product experts, at the company’s booth at MEDTEC Europe, will demonstrate how Cariflex polyisoprene products effectively serves medical devices markets including catheters, tube connectors, needle shields, probe covers, and cohesive bandages and are suitable for applications that require the high tensile strength and tear resistance of natural rubber.

Kraton is a leading global producer of engineered polymers used to enhance the performance of products. The company also invented styrenic block copolymer (SBC) chemistry and its portfolio also consists of value-enhancing polymers that are used in a wide variety of applications.

Kraton reported its third-quarter 2012 results in Oct 2012. The company logged a net loss of 48 cents per share compared with a profit of $1.33 per share in the year-ago quarter. The results include impairment charges and the impact related to changes in the company’s valuation allowance. Revenues decreased 14.8% year over year to $342.6 million in the quarter.

Kraton, which currently retains a short-term Zacks Rank #3 (Hold), will report its fourth quarter results on Feb 27.

Other companies in the specialty chemical industry with favorable Zacks Rank are Landec Corp. ( LNDC - Snapshot Report ) , A. Schulman, Inc. ( SHLM - Snapshot Report ) and Westlake Chemical Corp. ( WLK - Snapshot Report ) . While Landec holds a Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy), both A. Schulman and Westlake retain a Zacks Rank #2 (Buy).