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Polymer platform sets a new standard for catheter design with PTFE-like performance and expanded material flexibility
ORANGEBURG, S.C., Jan. 29, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Zeus, a global leader in advanced polymer solutions, today announced the launch of PFX™, a breakthrough platform designed to advance catheter innovation with a focus on performance, design flexibility, and sustainability.
Zeus also introduced PFX Flex™ Sub-Lite-Wall™, the first product in the PFX portfolio and a next-generation catheter liner engineered as an alternative to film-cast PTFE.
For decades, PTFE has set the standard in catheter performance. As device designs continue to evolve, OEMs are seeking materials that maintain trusted performance while enabling greater flexibility, scalability, and long-term confidence. The PFX platform represents a new chapter in catheter innovation, bringing together a portfolio of non-fluorinated polymer solutions that match the performance characteristics R&D engineers rely on, while opening new possibilities in catheter design and manufacturing.
"PFX reflects how we think about innovation at Zeus," said Paddy O'Brien, Chief Executive Officer of Zeus. "It's about anticipating where our customers are going and investing ahead of that curve. With PFX, we're extending our leadership in polymer science to help OEMs design what's next with confidence."
PFX Flex™ Sub-Lite-Wall™: The First Product in the PFX Portfolio
The first product introduced under the PFX platform, PFX Flex Sub-Lite-Wall, is engineered to deliver PTFE-like lubricity, flexibility, and enhanced bond strength through the material itself, without additives or coatings. The material bonds directly to thermoplastics without chemical etching and is compatible with sterilization methods beyond EtO, including gamma and e-beam.
PFX Flex Sub-Lite-Wall liners are available in inner diameters ranging from 0.013" to 0.387", expanding design freedom across a wide range of catheter platforms and enabling applications that have traditionally relied on film-cast materials.
"For a long time, PTFE was viewed as irreplaceable in high-performance catheter applications," said Suresh Sainath, Chief Technology Officer at Zeus. "The PFX platform challenges that assumption. It delivers performance parity where it matters most, while enabling new levels of design flexibility. This is a meaningful advancement in catheter material science."
A Strategic Platform Built for What's Next
Beyond individual product performance, PFX is designed as a scalable platform that supports a growing portfolio of polymer solutions tailored to evolving catheter requirements. Additional PFX products, including advanced catheter liners and heat-shrink solutions, are already in development with new introductions planned later this year.
In addition to performance and design flexibility, the PFX platform was developed with sustainability in mind, giving OEMs a material foundation that aligns with long-term environmental and supply chain priorities. PFX supports continuity and confidence over time, without forcing trade-offs in performance or reliability.
"Our customers want to move forward without taking on unnecessary risk," said Jim O'Connell, Chief Commercial Officer at Zeus. "PFX gives them a strong foundation to engage early, explore new designs, and gain a first-mover advantage as catheter technology continues to evolve, all while aligning with longer-term sustainability priorities."
MD&M West Showcase
Zeus will showcase the PFX platform and PFX Flex™ Sub-Lite-Wall™ at MD&M West, where attendees can connect with Zeus experts to learn more about how PFX supports next-gen catheter design. Visit Zeus at Booth #3001.
For more information, visit www.zeusinc.com/PFX/Flex
About Zeus
Zeus, headquartered in Orangeburg, South Carolina, is the world's leading polymer extrusion and catheter design manufacturer. More than 60 years of experience in medical, aerospace, energy, automotive, fiber optics, and more allows Zeus to achieve its mission to provide solutions, enable innovation, and enhance lives. The company employs over 2,200 people worldwide with facilities in Aiken, Columbia, Gaston, Orangeburg, St. Matthews, South Carolina; Branchburg, New Jersey; Chattanooga, Tennessee; San Jose, California; Arden Hills, Minnesota; Guangzhou, China; and Letterkenny, Ireland.
For more information, visit www.zeusinc.com.
Polymer platform sets a new standard for catheter design with PTFE-like performance and expanded material flexibility
ORANGEBURG, S.C., Jan. 29, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Zeus, a global leader in advanced polymer solutions, today announced the launch of PFX™, a breakthrough platform designed to advance catheter innovation with a focus on performance, design flexibility, and sustainability.
Zeus also introduced PFX Flex™ Sub-Lite-Wall™, the first product in the PFX portfolio and a next-generation catheter liner engineered as an alternative to film-cast PTFE.
For decades, PTFE has set the standard in catheter performance. As device designs continue to evolve, OEMs are seeking materials that maintain trusted performance while enabling greater flexibility, scalability, and long-term confidence. The PFX platform represents a new chapter in catheter innovation, bringing together a portfolio of non-fluorinated polymer solutions that match the performance characteristics R&D engineers rely on, while opening new possibilities in catheter design and manufacturing.
"PFX reflects how we think about innovation at Zeus," said Paddy O'Brien, Chief Executive Officer of Zeus. "It's about anticipating where our customers are going and investing ahead of that curve. With PFX, we're extending our leadership in polymer science to help OEMs design what's next with confidence."
PFX Flex™ Sub-Lite-Wall™: The First Product in the PFX Portfolio
The first product introduced under the PFX platform, PFX Flex Sub-Lite-Wall, is engineered to deliver PTFE-like lubricity, flexibility, and enhanced bond strength through the material itself, without additives or coatings. The material bonds directly to thermoplastics without chemical etching and is compatible with sterilization methods beyond EtO, including gamma and e-beam.
PFX Flex Sub-Lite-Wall liners are available in inner diameters ranging from 0.013" to 0.387", expanding design freedom across a wide range of catheter platforms and enabling applications that have traditionally relied on film-cast materials.
"For a long time, PTFE was viewed as irreplaceable in high-performance catheter applications," said Suresh Sainath, Chief Technology Officer at Zeus. "The PFX platform challenges that assumption. It delivers performance parity where it matters most, while enabling new levels of design flexibility. This is a meaningful advancement in catheter material science."
A Strategic Platform Built for What's Next
Beyond individual product performance, PFX is designed as a scalable platform that supports a growing portfolio of polymer solutions tailored to evolving catheter requirements. Additional PFX products, including advanced catheter liners and heat-shrink solutions, are already in development with new introductions planned later this year.
In addition to performance and design flexibility, the PFX platform was developed with sustainability in mind, giving OEMs a material foundation that aligns with long-term environmental and supply chain priorities. PFX supports continuity and confidence over time, without forcing trade-offs in performance or reliability.
"Our customers want to move forward without taking on unnecessary risk," said Jim O'Connell, Chief Commercial Officer at Zeus. "PFX gives them a strong foundation to engage early, explore new designs, and gain a first-mover advantage as catheter technology continues to evolve, all while aligning with longer-term sustainability priorities."
MD&M West Showcase
Zeus will showcase the PFX platform and PFX Flex™ Sub-Lite-Wall™ at MD&M West, where attendees can connect with Zeus experts to learn more about how PFX supports next-gen catheter design. Visit Zeus at Booth #3001.
For more information, visit www.zeusinc.com/PFX/Flex
About Zeus
Zeus, headquartered in Orangeburg, South Carolina, is the world's leading polymer extrusion and catheter design manufacturer. More than 60 years of experience in medical, aerospace, energy, automotive, fiber optics, and more allows Zeus to achieve its mission to provide solutions, enable innovation, and enhance lives. The company employs over 2,200 people worldwide with facilities in Aiken, Columbia, Gaston, Orangeburg, St. Matthews, South Carolina; Branchburg, New Jersey; Chattanooga, Tennessee; San Jose, California; Arden Hills, Minnesota; Guangzhou, China; and Letterkenny, Ireland.
For more information, visit www.zeusinc.com.
** The press release content is from PR Newswire. Bastille Post is not involved in its creation. **
Zeus Launches PFX™ Platform and Introduces PFX Flex™ Sub-Lite-Wall™, Advancing the Future of Catheter Innovation
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ENC to elevate global esports by establishing a structured national ecosystem that supports players, Clubs, and National Teams — backed by a groundbreaking development fund, Club incentives, and equal pay per player across 16 titles.
ENC 2026 Debuts November 2-29 in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
[Media Kit]
RIYADH, Saudi Arabia, Jan. 29, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- The Esports World Cup Foundation (EWCF) today announced the competition dates and prize model for the Esports Nations Cup 2026 (ENC), the new global esports competition built around national teams, national pride, and iconic rivalries. The ENC is set to debut in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, from November 2 through 29, 2026.
The Esports Nations Cup adds a national layer to the global esports calendar. It complements the Club-based Esports World Cup by giving players the chance to represent their nation, and offering fans a direct way to connect with elite competition through identity, pride, and shared moments.
ENC 2026 is backed by a three-part funding commitment totaling $45 million, structured to support the esports ecosystem through player and coach prizing, Club release incentives, and national team development.
ENC 2026 includes $20 million in prize money paid directly to players and coaches across 16 titles. In addition, EWCF will provide $5 million in Club incentives for esports Clubs that release and enable their professional players to participate in ENC, with rewards tied directly to the performance of their players at the event.
EWCF will also provide $20 million through the previously announced ENC Development Fund, supporting Official National Team Partners with logistics, travel, program operations, national team marketing, and the long-term growth of national team pathways.
"National teams bring a powerful new layer to esports, one that is accessible, intuitive, and rooted in identity and pride," said Ralf Reichert, CEO of the Esports World Cup Foundation. "Clubs are the cultural backbone of esports. Nation-based competition expands the stage, creates new rivalries, and gives more fans a reason to care from day one. Our prize model is designed to keep competition fair and sustainable, rewarding performance while supporting the long-term development of players, Clubs, and national programs."
The ENC introduces a placement-based prize framework, applied across all game titles, designed to be clear and player-centric. Every qualified participant earns prize money and is guaranteed a minimum of three matches. Equal placement earns equal pay: the same finishing position pays the same amount per player across all titles, and coaches are rewarded alongside players for the same placement.
A first-place finish awards $50,000 per player, whether competing in a solo title or as part of a team. Second-place awards $30,000 per player, and third-place awards $15,000 per player. For team titles, payouts scale with the roster size, so the result is consistent and transparent for everyone competing.
The ENC will launch in Riyadh in November 2026 and will move to a rotating host-city model, bringing nation-based esports to major cities around the world. The event will be held every two years to provide a dependable structure that supports long-term planning for players, partners, and national programs.
Mobile Legends: Bang Bang, Trackmania, Dota 2 have already been confirmed for ENC 2026, with additional titles to be announced in the coming days.
Additional information about the Esports Nations Cup will be released in the coming weeks. To stay up to date, visit esportsnationscup.com and follow ENC on X, Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, and YouTube, and follow the Esports World Cup Foundation on LinkedIn.
About the Esports Nations Cup
The Esports Nations Cup (ENC) is a biennial global esports competition created by the Esports World Cup Foundation (EWCF) that brings national pride to the world stage. Launching in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, in 2026, the ENC will feature the world's best players competing not for their Clubs, but for their countries and territories, across a lineup of leading esports titles. Built in collaboration with game partners, Clubs, and esports organizations, the ENC establishes the first recurring, large-scale platform for national teams in esports. Beyond competition, it aims to fuel fandom, inspire heroes, and provide sustainable pathways for nations, players, and partners to grow within the global esports ecosystem. esportsnationscup.com
About Esports World Cup Foundation
The Esports World Cup Foundation (EWCF) is a non-profit organization based in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, dedicated to advancing and professionalizing the global esports industry. Through the annual Esports World Cup (EWC) and the biennial Esports Nations Cup (ENC), EWCF brings together the world's top players, leading Clubs, and millions of fans for the biggest stages in competitive gaming. Beyond hosting tournaments, the Foundation works year-round to grow the esports ecosystem, support talent development, and create lasting opportunities for players, teams, and partners worldwide.
ENC to elevate global esports by establishing a structured national ecosystem that supports players, Clubs, and National Teams — backed by a groundbreaking development fund, Club incentives, and equal pay per player across 16 titles.
ENC 2026 Debuts November 2-29 in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
[Media Kit]
RIYADH, Saudi Arabia, Jan. 29, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- The Esports World Cup Foundation (EWCF) today announced the competition dates and prize model for the Esports Nations Cup 2026 (ENC), the new global esports competition built around national teams, national pride, and iconic rivalries. The ENC is set to debut in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, from November 2 through 29, 2026.
The Esports Nations Cup adds a national layer to the global esports calendar. It complements the Club-based Esports World Cup by giving players the chance to represent their nation, and offering fans a direct way to connect with elite competition through identity, pride, and shared moments.
ENC 2026 is backed by a three-part funding commitment totaling $45 million, structured to support the esports ecosystem through player and coach prizing, Club release incentives, and national team development.
ENC 2026 includes $20 million in prize money paid directly to players and coaches across 16 titles. In addition, EWCF will provide $5 million in Club incentives for esports Clubs that release and enable their professional players to participate in ENC, with rewards tied directly to the performance of their players at the event.
EWCF will also provide $20 million through the previously announced ENC Development Fund, supporting Official National Team Partners with logistics, travel, program operations, national team marketing, and the long-term growth of national team pathways.
"National teams bring a powerful new layer to esports, one that is accessible, intuitive, and rooted in identity and pride," said Ralf Reichert, CEO of the Esports World Cup Foundation. "Clubs are the cultural backbone of esports. Nation-based competition expands the stage, creates new rivalries, and gives more fans a reason to care from day one. Our prize model is designed to keep competition fair and sustainable, rewarding performance while supporting the long-term development of players, Clubs, and national programs."
The ENC introduces a placement-based prize framework, applied across all game titles, designed to be clear and player-centric. Every qualified participant earns prize money and is guaranteed a minimum of three matches. Equal placement earns equal pay: the same finishing position pays the same amount per player across all titles, and coaches are rewarded alongside players for the same placement.
A first-place finish awards $50,000 per player, whether competing in a solo title or as part of a team. Second-place awards $30,000 per player, and third-place awards $15,000 per player. For team titles, payouts scale with the roster size, so the result is consistent and transparent for everyone competing.
The ENC will launch in Riyadh in November 2026 and will move to a rotating host-city model, bringing nation-based esports to major cities around the world. The event will be held every two years to provide a dependable structure that supports long-term planning for players, partners, and national programs.
Mobile Legends: Bang Bang, Trackmania, Dota 2 have already been confirmed for ENC 2026, with additional titles to be announced in the coming days.
Additional information about the Esports Nations Cup will be released in the coming weeks. To stay up to date, visit esportsnationscup.com and follow ENC on X, Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, and YouTube, and follow the Esports World Cup Foundation on LinkedIn.
About the Esports Nations Cup
The Esports Nations Cup (ENC) is a biennial global esports competition created by the Esports World Cup Foundation (EWCF) that brings national pride to the world stage. Launching in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, in 2026, the ENC will feature the world's best players competing not for their Clubs, but for their countries and territories, across a lineup of leading esports titles. Built in collaboration with game partners, Clubs, and esports organizations, the ENC establishes the first recurring, large-scale platform for national teams in esports. Beyond competition, it aims to fuel fandom, inspire heroes, and provide sustainable pathways for nations, players, and partners to grow within the global esports ecosystem. esportsnationscup.com
About Esports World Cup Foundation
The Esports World Cup Foundation (EWCF) is a non-profit organization based in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, dedicated to advancing and professionalizing the global esports industry. Through the annual Esports World Cup (EWC) and the biennial Esports Nations Cup (ENC), EWCF brings together the world's top players, leading Clubs, and millions of fans for the biggest stages in competitive gaming. Beyond hosting tournaments, the Foundation works year-round to grow the esports ecosystem, support talent development, and create lasting opportunities for players, teams, and partners worldwide.
** The press release content is from PR Newswire. Bastille Post is not involved in its creation. **
Esports World Cup Foundation Confirms $45 Million Commitment to Players, Clubs and National Teams for Inaugural Esports Nations Cup 2026
