Formacoat Introduces the HydroMark™ Challenge: A Free, Coating Performance Evaluation
Medical device manufacturers invited to compare HydroMark™ hydrophilic coating with their current coating using their own devices and specifications
CHASKA, Minn. — November 6, 2026 — Formacoat, a medical device coating application and process development specialist, is inviting medical device manufacturers to put hydrophilic coating performance to the test through the HydroMark™ Challenge, a no-charge program designed to evaluate lubricity and durability on customer-supplied devices.
The program offers a practical, side-by-side evaluation: participating manufacturers provide five uncoated devices for application of Formacoat’s HydroMark™ thermal coating, along with an already-coated comparison device and their coating specifications. Formacoat then coats the five devices, conducts performance testing, and returns the coated samples and comparative data for review.
“The HydroMark Challenge is about giving device manufacturers a straightforward way to evaluate coating performance on the devices they know best,” said Todd Paulsen, Vice President of Formacoat. “Rather than asking customers to rely on claims alone, we are inviting them to examine the results against their own existing coating.”
How the HydroMark Challenge works
1. Submit devices and specifications. Send five uncoated devices, one previously coated comparison device, and coating specifications, ideally including a coated-level drawing.
2. Apply HydroMark. Formacoat applies HydroMark™ coating to the five uncoated devices according to the supplied specifications.
3. Test and compare. Formacoat conducts performance testing, including direct comparison of lubricity and durability with the supplied coated device, then returns the coated devices and results.
4. Review the findings. Formacoat schedules a 30-minute discussion to review the data and explore how its coating expertise may support the manufacturer’s project.
The advertised turnaround for the HydroMark Challenge is two weeks, and participation is free of charge. All work is subject to a project-specific mutual nondisclosure agreement signed by Formacoat and the participating company.
Designed for performance, built for manufacturing
HydroMark™ is Formacoat’s proprietary hydrophilic coating platform, developed to target consistent lubricity, durability, and application flexibility across medical device formats including catheters, guidewires, tubing, films, and complex geometries. Thermal-cured options are currently available. The platform builds on Formacoat’s experience in coating application, process development, and manufacturing scale-up, offering device makers an additional sourcing option.
Formacoat’s HydroMark materials also describe biocompatibility and toxicology testing of coated film and PEBAX 55D performed by Canyon Labs, including evaluations of systemic toxicity, hemolysis, intracutaneous reactivity, cytotoxicity, and pyrogenicity. Individual device suitability and regulatory requirements remain application-specific.
About Formacoat
Founded more than 25 years ago, Formacoat specializes in medical device coating application and process development. The company works with medical device original equipment manufacturers, from emerging companies to established global organizations, to select, apply, evaluate, and scale coating solutions.
To learn more about the HydroMark Challenge or inquire about participation, visit www.formacoat.com, email info@formacoat.com, or call 952-895-0200.