Victrex plc (Thornton Cleveleys, U.K.; www.victrex.com) will invest up to 15 million GBP in further downstream manufacturing. to build a new polyetheretherketone (PEEK) composite facility for unidirectional (UD) tape and add new manufacturing capability for medical Trauma plate applications at its U.K. headquarters. Both investments tie-in with recent product launches and are intended to help deliver new solutions to customers – and to drive future growth programs.
“To deliver solutions to our customers and consequently shape future performance means continued investment to drive our future growth programmes. This includes the technical, marketing, quality and regulatory functions,” said Victrex´s Chief Executive David Hummel.
In trauma, Victrex will continue to invest in specific downstream manufacturing facilities during 2016. Trauma plates, for example, composed of the high-performance composite, PEEK-OPTIMA Ultra Reinforced, are delivered by Victrex´s medical division Invibio Biomaterial Solutions. Cleared regulatory device predicates in the U.S. and Europe enable medical device manufacturers to more easily expand their trauma range beyond metal technologies.
Hummel said, “We are particularly encouraged by the opportunity in this market. Downstream manufacturing capability of trauma plate components will enhance our offering, enabling us to have the ability to meet initial demand.”
Invibio is a global leader in providing high-performance biomaterial solutions to medical device manufacturers. Its PEEK-OPTIMA polymers are used in more than five million implanted devices worldwide today. In addition, Invibio delivers advanced technical research and support and manufacturing of components for spine, trauma and orthopaedic medical segments for the development of implantable medical devices.
These investments also include capital expenditure for the company’s Polymer Innovation Centre, which will deliver prototyping and application development excellence for Victrex. The new facility, which is due to start construction in early 2016, will help Victrex research and test many of its new downstream applications in the years ahead, allowing the company to enhance its capabilities as a solutions provider.