Hydroxyethyl starch (HES)

The production of HES starts with waxy corn starch, existing in special maize varieties.  To manufacture HES the raw material is modified in a controlled chemical process under strict surveillance. The modification adjusts the ability of the molecule to decompose under physiological conditions. Subsequently the chains of the natural polymer are cut to the desired length in a chemical degradation process. In the final step, the product is carefully purified, dried in a clean room and immediately packed.

A large loss of blood volume, hypovolemia, can happen for a variety of reasons, for example bleeding, severe vomiting, dehydration or severe burns. Since hypovolemic shock can quickly become life threatening, it is important to replace the lost blood volume as fast as possible so that the patient‘s circulation keeps working. This is often done with colloidal infusions. HES is one of the most proven and trusted colloidal substances used in this group of plasma expanders.

Solutions with HES are well tolerated and safe and have good rheological properties. In the best formulations, HES does not accumulate in the plasma, is excreted at a predictable rate, and has a minimal effect on blood coagulation.

HES is also used as an ingredient of cryoprotectant solutions for preserving frozen cells and tissues. Moreover, a new application field of HES is in development, the so-called HESylation®. This new technology shows considerable promise as a way of modifying drug targeting and kinetics.

The high quality of our HES production is regularly confirmed by inspections performed by our customers and regulatory authorities from all over the world. Strict quality control is the basis for our company's position as one of the world's most experienced manufacturers and major supplier of this API.