(November 6th, 2026) — As part of our continuing efforts to develop and improve our telemanipulator booting solutions, EMW Nuclear has undertaken experimental production runs of our TRU-BT boots in three additional elastomer materials: Ethylene Propylene Diene Monomer (EPDM), Chlorosulfonated Polyethylene (CSM), and Chlorobutyl Rubber (CIIR).
The following table summarises the principal characteristics of our three experimental materials, along with potential applications in radiopharmaceutical production and processing:
| Material | Principal Advantages | Use Cases |
|---|---|---|
| CIIR | Exceptionally low gas permeability, excellent moisture barrier, good resistance to most acids, alkalis, heat, and oxidisers. |
I-131 processing and dispensing cells where containment of volatile contaminants is important; negative pressure cells requiring GMP conditions, moisture-sensitive processes, or cells with aggressive aqueous, acidic, or alkali processing environments. |
| EPDM | Good flexibility, mechanical longevity, radiation resistance, and good resistance to aqueous chem- -icals, oxidisers, SporKlenz, heat, and aging. |
General-purpose radiopharmaceutical production, including Lu-177, Ga-68, F-18, and Tc-99m processing; cells requiring fre- -quent disinfection with hydrogen peroxide or peracetic acid-based products. |
| CSM | Excellent resistance to oxidation, ozone, chemical aging, abrasion, and ionising radiation. Of any chemical or acidic duty rubber on offer, CSM is the highest performing even with destructive agents such as hydrochloric acid. |
Aggressive chemical processing cells; Ac-225, and other radionucleide separation processes involving acids, or any cell subject to frequent harsh-chemical decontamination procedures beyond typical PET conditions. |
Our original white neoprene TRU-BT remains our standard offering, providing an effective combination of flexibility, durability, chemical resistance, and general-purpose suitability for most radiopharmaceutical production environments, particularly conventional PET applications. However, hot-cell operating conditions can vary considerably between facilities and processes. Differences in chemical exposure, decontamination procedures, radiation environments, and containment requirements may make alternative materials desirable for particular applications.
Recognising these differences, we have begun evaluating additional elastomer formulations with properties that may offer advantages under specific operating conditions. Each material offers a different combination of chemical resistance, barrier properties, and physical characteristics, allowing customers to consider alternatives better suited to their individual requirements.
Availability and Evaluation
Experimental TRU-BT boots manufactured from EPDM, CSM, and CIIR are currently available in limited quantities upon request. These materials are being introduced on a trial basis, allowing interested customers to evaluate their performance under relevant operating conditions.
As these are experimental material variants, assess their suitability for individual applications based on the specific chemicals, concentrations, temperatures, radiation exposure, and decontamination procedures involved. Material selection should ultimately be supported by appropriate compatibility testing and facility-specific qualification. Future production quantities and standard inventory availability will be determined in part by customer interest, trial results, and demand for each formulation.
Continuing Product Development
These experimental runs represent one component of our broader commitment to expanding the range of specialised telemanipulator booting solutions available to the nuclear medicine and radiopharmaceutical industries. As our development and manufacturing capabilities continue to grow, we intend to explore additional materials, designs, and specialised booting solutions to better accommodate the varying requirements of our clients and colleagues.
Customers interested in acquiring or evaluating our experimental material boots are encouraged to contact us through our website's Contact Form or by email. Existing customers may also contact their usual EMW representatives directly to discuss availability, technical requirements, or potential trial arrangements.