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Alpharetta, Ga., Sept. 5, 2017 --- Solvay, a leading global supplier of specialty polymers, announced today that it appointed Foster Corporation, a top compounder and distributor of custom polymers for medical devices, as its distributor of Ixef® polyarylamide (PARA) resin for the North American Healthcare market. Solvay will continue to accept and fill orders for Ixef® PARA of 1,000 kg (2,200 lb) or greater, while Foster will handle smaller quantities. The partnership went into effect on September 1, 2017.
Solvay’s medical-grade Ixef® PARA compounds offer a unique combination of mechanical properties and aesthetics that make them ideal for molding complex parts that demand overall metal-like strength. The healthcare-grades of Ixef® PARA, available from Foster and Solvay, are compatible with high-energy gamma radiation and ethylene oxide (ETO) sterilization, and show no significant change in mechanical properties after exposure. The available grades include a select palette of eight colors formulated to resist color change that commonly follows gamma radiation sterilization.
Replacing metal with this high-performance polymer can help hospitals and healthcare facilities minimize the transfer of infection, and reduce central service costs associated with the sterilization of reusable instruments. Furthermore, Ixef® PARA’s unique combination of properties makes it an excellent choice for structural applications such as monitor frames and cases, medical equipment housings and enclosures.
Foster Corporation had been previously selected by Solvay to distribute its Udel® polysulfone (PSU) and Radel® polyphenylsulfone (PPSU) resins to the North American Healthcare market, effective October 1, 2016.
Solvay’s experience as a reliable specialty polymers supplier to the healthcare industry spans more than 25 years. The company offers the broadest selection of thermoplastics for the healthcare industry, offering a wide range of high-performance, medical-grade polymers for orthopedic applications, sterilization cases and trays, medical equipment, and medical and dental devices. Solvay also offers a family of Solviva® Biomaterials for use in a range of implantable devices.
® Ixef, Udel, Radel and Solviva are registered trademarks of Solvay
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Solvay Specialty Polymers manufactures over 1500 products across 35 brands of high-performance polymers – fluoropolymers, fluoroelastomers, fluorinated fluids, semi-aromatic polyamides, sulfone polymers, aromatic ultra-high performance polymers, and high barrier polymers – for use in Aerospace, Alternative Energy, Automotive, Healthcare, Membranes, Oil and Gas, Packaging, Plumbing, Semiconductors, Wire & Cable, and other industries. Learn more at www.solvayspecialtypolymers.com.
Solvay is a multi-specialty chemical company, committed to developing chemistry that addresses key societal challenges. Solvay innovates and partners with customers in diverse global end markets. Its products and solutions are used in planes, cars, smart and medical devices, batteries, in mineral and oil extraction, among many other applications promoting sustainability. Its lightweighting materials enhance cleaner mobility, its formulations optimize the use of resources and its performance chemicals improve air and water quality. Solvay is headquartered in Brussels with around 27,000 employees in 58 countries. Net sales were € 10.9 billion in 2016, with 90% from activities where Solvay ranks among the world’s top 3 leaders. Solvay SA (SOLB.BE) is listed on Euronext Brussels and Paris (Bloomberg: SOLB.BB - Reuters: SOLB.BR) and in the United States its shares (SOLVY) are traded through a level-1 ADR program.
For over twenty five years Foster Corporation has been serving medical device and pharmaceutical manufacturers with industry leading technology and service in biomedical materials. These include custom medical compounds, implantable materials, drug/polymer blends and polymer distribution. Within ISO 13485:2003 and ISO 9001:2008 facilities, Foster offers comprehensive support to customers from formulation development through production. More information is available at www.fostercomp.com.
