PURIBLOOD MEDICAL, the only domestic manufacturer of blood bags and leukocyte reduction filters in Taiwan, announced on June 30 that it is ready to begin production at the nation’s first blood bag manufacturing facility in Shulin, built in collaboration with Nan Ya Plastics through a technology transfer. The facility has an initial production capacity of 8 million blood bags and 2.8 million sets of blood bag filter kits. Once the in-line filter kit product receives certification, it will be immediately available to meet national demand.

The classification of domestically produced blood bags as a key national strategic material has recently gained renewed attention. Deputy Minister of Health and Welfare, Ching-Yi Lin, announced an inter-ministerial initiative aimed at enhancing Taiwan’s resilient healthcare infrastructure, with a focus on promoting the local production of blood bags. Meanwhile, the Ministry of National Defense is expected to establish the military’s first official blood donation organization by the end of this year, and launch a “Tri-Service Blood Program” by 2026.

Taiwan collects approximately 2.8 million units of donated blood annually. Historically, the country has relied heavily on imported blood bags due to the absence of a complete local supply chain, particularly for blood bag manufacturing—which requires high capital investment—and leukocyte reduction filters, which involve advanced technical barriers. Currently, the market is dominated by Japanese manufacturers operating out of China and Thailand. PURIBLOOD has already secured its place in the supply chain of the Taiwan Blood Foundation with its leukocyte reduction filters for packed red blood cells (pRBCs), supplying 200,000 units annually, laying the groundwork for full filter kit production.

The company also disclosed that it has begun engaging with the National Defense Medical Center and the Medical Affairs Bureau to understand the specific needs of the upcoming Tri-Service Blood Program. With operations in 26 countries, PURIBLOOD is adapting its global supply chain strategy in response to shifts initiated during the Trump administration and is actively working to establish comprehensive overseas blood bag production capabilities.

Given the price sensitivity of mature markets in Europe and the United States, PURIBLOOD has entered into a partnership with a Brazilian medical device importer to pursue a local manufacturing model. The initiative, led by PURIBLOOD, leverages Brazil’s tariff advantages and the distribution strength of large medical device company Cromo, which has a strong presence across the Americas. This positions the company to tap into the annual in-line blood bag market, which exceeds 40 million units.

For emerging and developing markets such as China and Southeast Asia, PURIBLOOD is exploring the possibility of setting up overseas production bases and is currently in discussions with regional partners. The company is also advancing patent applications and clinical trials for its real-time in-line leukocyte filtration blood bag systems, designed to filter white blood cells during blood donation.

In addition, PURIBLOOD is competing for government tenders in countries like Turkey and Malaysia for leukocyte reduction filters and customized gamma irradiation blood sterilization kits. These products have already passed validation by designated national blood centers, qualifying PURIBLOOD as an approved supplier. The company is also receiving international orders for in-line blood bag filter kits in semi-assembled (knock-down) formats for export.

Resource: 血袋列戰略物資 普瑞博將建置產業鏈