MOSCOW (MRC) -- Solvay, a leading global supplier of high-performance specialty polymers, announced today that it has appointed Foster Corporation, a top compounder and distributor of custom polymers for medical devices, as its newest distributor of Udel polysulfone (PSU) and Radel polyphenylsulfone (PPSU) resins for the North American Healthcare market, said the producer on its site.
The appointment went into effect October 1. "Solvay looks forward to working with Foster to serve the fast-growing demand for Solvay’s high-performance materials in the Healthcare market," said Jeff Hrivnak, Global Business Development Manager for Healthcare at Solvay’s Specialty Polymers Business Unit. "Strategic relationships like these are critical to our commitment to support and accelerate the innovation and growth initiatives of customers in North America."
Foster’s new role as distributor of Udel PSU and Radel PPSU resins will not affect either Solvay’s order fulfillment policies or its existing distribution relationship with ResMart. Solvay Specialty Polymers will continue to accept and fill orders that are 1,000 kg (2,200 lb) or greater, while smaller quantities will still be available through ResMart – and now Foster, who will focus on supporting Solvay’s customers in Healthcare.
Solvay’s medical-grade Udel PSU is a rigid, high-strength, transparent polymer that offers higher heat resistance and better hydrolytic stability than polycarbonate. It retains its mechanical properties when exposed to steam and other sterilization techniques. Radel PPSU is a super-tough, transparent polymer that can withstand more than 1,000 cycles of steam sterilization without significant loss of properties. This makes it an excellent choice for sterilization cases and trays, surgical instrument handles and other reusable medical devices.
Solvay Specialty Polymers’ experience as a reliable materials supplier in the healthcare field spans more than 25 years. The company is a leading manufacturer of healthcare polymers, offering a broad range of high-performance, medical-grade polymers for orthopedic applications, sterilization cases and trays, medical and dental devices. Solvay also offers a family of Solviva Biomaterials for use in a range of implantable devices.
As MRC informed earlier, Solvay is building a Technyl polyamide compounding unit in San Luis Potosi, Mexico, with initial annual capacity of 10KT. This new facility is expected to become operational in the third quarter of 2017 to serve the region’s and America’s growing automotive and consumer goods markets.
Solvay is headquartered in Brussels with about 30,900 employees spread across 53 countries. It generated pro forma net sales of EUR12.4 billion in 2015, with 90% made from activities where it ranks among the world’s top 3 players.
MRC