Solvay selects ResMart to distribute healthcare resins

Move supports Solvay’s plan to streamline North American distribution efforts

Alpharetta, Ga., Mar. 26, 2020 – Solvay has named ResMart, LLC the North American distributor for its medical grade polymers as part of Solvay’s new global distribution optimization initiative. Effective May 14, 2020, ResMart will officially take over for Foster Corporation, the previous distributor of these materials, which will allow customers to purchase Solvay’s high-performance resins from a single source. Going forward, Foster will continue to fulfill both licensed and custom orders for many of Solvay’s healthcare polymers due to its strength in custom biomedical polymer compounding.

ResMart has been distributing several of Solvay’s specialty polymers for healthcare applications – including Radel^® polyphenylsulfone (PPSU), Veradel^® HC polyethersulfone (PESU), and Udel^® polysulfone (PSU) – throughout North America for the last five years. This new distribution agreement will now allow the company to distribute Solvay’s family of medical-grade Ixef^® polyarylamide (PARA) compounds as well. The Fort Worth, Texas-based company will handle orders for amounts less than 1 metric ton (2,204 pounds), while Solvay will continue to accept direct orders that meet or exceed this minimum order quantity.

“We are very pleased to take on a larger role in distributing Solvay’s high-performance polymers across North America,” said Ray Cross, general manager, ResMart. “Our broad regional presence, as well as advanced technologies and processes enable us to optimize our distribution speed, accuracy and efficiency to meet the needs of Solvay’s customers. We look forward to continuing our relationship with Solvay to offer best-in-class material solutions for tomorrow’s healthcare applications.”

ResMart is able to offer expedited fulfillment for orders of Solvay’s healthcare materials due to their multiple, nationwide distribution centers and status as a stocking distributor. ResMart also offers materials engineering and selection guidance, processing support, and in-house laboratory services.

“This expansion of our relationship with ResMart will benefit our customers in many important ways,” said Art Tigera, North American sales director for Solvay’s Specialty Polymers global business unit. “Solvay resins address top healthcare industry requirements, including broad sterilization capabilities, toughness, durability, design flexibility, and excellent resistance to aggressive chemical disinfectants that can cause environmental stress cracking in lower performing polymers. Working with ResMart’s dedicated healthcare group allows us to simplify our North American distribution network and be in the best position to broadly deliver these advanced material solutions to meet customers’ changing needs.”

Solvay’s high-performance materials are well suited for the demanding requirements of important healthcare applications. For example, Solvay’s Ixef^® PARA resin provides a unique combination of strength, stiffness and surface aesthetics, making it an excellent candidate to replace metal in single-use surgical instruments, medical devices and components for medical equipment. Radel^® PPSU resin’s ability to withstand over 1,000 autoclave cycles without significant loss of mechanical properties or appearance makes it the undisputed choice for applications requiring repeated steam sterilization. Veradel^® HC PESU resin’s high heat resistant, transparency and high melt flow make it an excellent alternative to polyetherimide (PEI). Finally, Solvay’s Udel^® PSU resin delivers strength, toughness and dimensional stability for applications with exacting requirements.

^® Ixef, Radel, Veradel, and Udel are registered trademarks of Solvay

About ResMart

Headquartered in Fort Worth, Tex., ResMart, LLC is a premier plastic distribution company focused on delivering industry-leading service and technology to the plastic processor community.  Through its sister business, RTP Company – a global leader in specialty compounding – ResMart provides a focused and dedicated team of sales and technical engineers eager and ready to serve your needs. In addition to this strong support team, www.resmart.com is set up to bring ease and speed to the plastic user in need of 24/7 order placement, pricing, and technical documentation.

Solvay is an advanced materials and specialty chemicals company, committed to developing chemistry that addresses key societal challenges. Solvay innovates and partners with customers worldwide in many diverse end markets. Its products are used in planes, cars, batteries, smart and medical devices, as well as in mineral and oil and gas extraction, enhancing efficiency and sustainability. Its lightweighting materials promote 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 24,500 employees in 61 countries. Net sales were €10.3 billion in 2018, with 90% from activities where Solvay ranks among the world's top 3 leaders, resulting in an EBITDA margin of 22%. 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.  Financial figures take into account the planned divestment of Polyamides.

Solvay Specialty Polymers manufactures over 1500 products across 35 brands of high-performance polymers – fluoropolymers, fluoroelastomers, fluorinated fluids, semi-aromatic polyamides, sulfone polymers, ultra-high performance aromatic 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.