Mar 6 2006
Solvay Advanced Polymers, L.L.C. has signed an agreement with Modern Plastics, Inc., a Bridgeport, Conn.-based plastics distribution company, to distribute RADEL R polyphenylsulfone to the medical industry in North America.
"This distribution agreement is a strategic move for both companies," said Bing J. Carbone, president of Modern Plastics. "The addition of RADEL R polyphenylsulfone expands our current offering to include resin as well as plastics stock shapes. It is a natural extension of our product line that should help us strengthen our position in the medical industry," he added.
According to Carbone, the medical plastics segment of the company's business has been growing at an average rate of about 20 percent per year and research suggests continued growth at that level for at least the next 15 years.
"We are very excited about the opportunity to partner with Modern Plastics," said Shawn Shorrock, global medical market manager for Solvay Advanced Polymers. "It's a strategic step in our on-going effort to make this highly sought after sterilizeable plastic more readily available."
RADEL R polyphenylsulfone is a transparent, high-temperature sulfone polymer known for its uncompromising performance in reusable medical applications. For over a decade, RADEL R polymers have proven they can withstand over a thousand cycles of disinfection and steam sterilization without any significant loss of properties.
In its natural unfilled state, the resin is a transparent amber color. Solvay Advanced Polymers recently introduced a line of brightly colored transparent resins based on proprietary technology that significantly lowers the yellowness inherent to the polymer. Custom colors of transparent and opaque products are also available.
RADEL R resins can be processed following standard methods for injection molding, extrusion and blow molding. Shapes can be machined for prototype evaluations as well as finished parts; film and sheet can be thermoformed on conventional equipment.
Plus, most post-fabrication operations such as ultrasonic welding, adhesive bonding and laser marking as well as heat staking, threading and machining can be done with RADEL R plastics. Typical applications include customized sterilization cases and trays, joint replacement trials, surgical and dental instrument handles, endoscopic devices, and anesthesiology equipment.
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