Vita’s TPE Group invests in clean compound technology and expands capacity

The investment includes a fourth production line, which will come on stream in September 2006 and will increase production by 4,000 tonnes per annum bringing the capacity of the Group to more than 35,000 tonnes.

VTC Elastoteknik specialises in the conception, formulation and production of clean, clear TPS compounds for medical, food and associated applications. The new line will be dedicated to the production of clean compounds including the VTC TPE Group’s Mediprene® range of TPE materials. Based on medically approved raw materials and compliant with the requirements of major pharmacopoeias and associated international norms with representative grades that have passed USP Class VI as well as cytotoxicity tests according to USP <87>/ISO 10993-5, the development of its Mediprene® TPE compound family has given the Group a strong presence in the European medical device market. Mediprene® TPE grades not only meet customer demands for being PVC-free, but are also completely synthetic and thus latex free, avoiding potential allergy risks. Furthermore all Mediprene® TPE compounds can be sterilised by established techniques in the medical industry.

The new line is a Berstorff twin extruder combined with ten gravimetric feeders which assist in material handling with minimal human intervention. All raw materials will be transported automatically via robot crane and a series of roll-boats, allowing palletised goods to be moved safely and efficiently around the production area and reducing forklift handling by 80 percent. The production process is controlled by a series of computer systems connected to one operator terminal, providing the operator with full access to trend curves, formulations, machine parameters and test results ensuring batch to batch consistency.

Speaking about the investment Howard Harris, CEO of British Vita, said “I was delighted to launch the new line at VTC Elastoteknik, this is a significant investment for the British Vita Group as it is the first substantial expenditure sanctioned following the change of ownership in 2005.”

Mr. Per G. Hellberg, Managing Director of the VTC TPE Group, said: “The investment confirms British Vita’s commitment to this important product area. We look forward to expanding the range of compounds on offer by the VTC TPE Group as our technical teams work with customers to capitalize on the significant design and processing opportunities offered by TPEs.”

In April 2005 British Vita’s TPE Group acquired the thermoplastic elastomer business of Valerio Franceschetti Elastomeri. Today the VTC TPE Group comprises of three sites, Vita Thermoplastic Polymers, Manchester, UK, VTC Elastoteknik, Åmål, Sweden and VTC Franceschetti Elastomeri, Nigoline, Italy.

ENDS


Mr. Per G Hellberg, Managing Director VTC TPE Group (on the left)
and Mr. Howard Harris, CEO British Vita, at the inauguration of the
new line in September, 2006.


For further information contact:
Jill Bradford, Vita Compounding – Tel: +44 (0)161 655 2613
Email: jbradford@vitacompounding.com

Mediprene®, Dryflex®, Marfran® are registered trademarks the property of The Vita Group of companies