Integra Companies' ColorGrip® Gasket Rings are Made of Solvay's Radel® PPSU for Biopharma Processing


PPSU Delivers Chemical Resistance, Strong Sterilizability,and Color Coding for Critical Fluid Handling Uses

ALPHARETTA, Ga. - Color-coded ColorGrip® gaskets from Integra Companies, Devens, Mass., feature colored locator rings made of Radel® polyphenylsulfone (PPSU) resin from Solvay Specialty Polymers USA, LLC, for high-purity fluid handling applications for the biopharmaceutical industry. The locator rings made of Radel® PPSU are more chemically resistant and offer better sterilization than those made of competing plastics while also boasting colorability and extended service life.

The injection molded locator rings solve common installation problems by aligning the gasket, which is made of EPDM elastomer, on the ferrule face. The grip design also improves installation by freeing up the hands for assembling the clamp. The Radel® PPSU locator ring is available in eight color options to provide external identification. Color coding can be easily used to segregate process fluids, identify essential processes, or to simplify preventative maintenance replacements. Cavallero Plastics, Pittsfield, Mass., molds the outer ring made of Radel® PPSU and the U.K.'s James Walker & Co. Ltd., developer of Elast-O-Pure® EP75 EPDM elastomer, injection molds the gasket onto the outer ring.

Radel® PPSU was selected because of its superior strength, high thermal performance, chemical resistance, and strong sterilizability, according to Dwight Long, president of Integra Companies. Meanwhile, the Elast-O-Pure® EP75 EPDM elastomer provides unparalleled sealing performance in critical bioprocessing applications, improved compression set, strong release properties, and excellent resistance to Steam in Place (SIP) processes and Clean in Place (CIP) chemicals, resulting in extended service life.

Radel® PPSU is a super-tough thermoplastic with high heat resistance, exceptional hydrolytic stability, and excellent chemical resistance. It can withstand over 1000 cycles of steam sterilization without significant loss of properties. It is inherently flame retardant and is resistant to bases and other chemicals. Radel® PPSU is also compliant with ISO 10993-1 for limited exposure applications.

The color-coded smooth transition gaskets are used for a range of tubing, fittings, and hoses in high-purity fluid handling applications for the bioprocessing industry.

Solvay Specialty Polymers is a global leader in the development of sulfone polymer technology, launching Udel® polysulfone nearly 45 years ago. In addition, Solvay's experience as a key materials supplier in the healthcare field spans more than 20 years. The company is a leading manufacturer of high-performance plastics, offering a broad range of materials for healthcare instruments and medical devices. More recently, Solvay has successfully introduced its line of Solviva® Biomaterials and offers them for use in a range of implantable devices

About IntegraCompanies

Devens, Mass.-based Integra Companies, founded in 1974, is a leading supplier of high-purity fluid handling solutions for the biopharmaceutical, food processing, microelectronic, and specialty market industries. The company offers a comprehensive circle of services backed by highly-trained product specialists, engineers, and precision fabricators. Integra Companies is the Northeast's only ISO 9001:2008 certified, cGMP compliant distributor with in-house fabrication capabilities. For more information, visit www.integracompanies.com.

About Solvay Specialty Polymers

Solvay Specialty Polymers is a leading global supplier of high-performance thermoplastics for implantable and non-implantable medical devices. The company has expanded its focus on the healthcare industry to meet the growing needs of its global customers. Last year, Solvay announced a new organizational structure and a 50% increase in staffing for sales, marketing, and technology functions in the U.S. and Europe. Plans for further expansion in Asia-Pacific are also underway. Solvay is building on its 20-year history as a key material supplier in the healthcare field, devoting considerable new resources to help customers be more efficient and cut costs. Metal-to-plastic replacement remains a key focus for manufacturers, but increased cost pressures pose a new challenge as the market continues to grow at a double-digit pace. Solvay also continues to devote considerable research and development activities to polymer technology and commercialization of new and unique material options for medical OEMs and processors.

Solvay Specialty Polymers manufactures more products with more performance than any other polymer company in the world. The company supplies over 1500 products across 33 brands of high-performance polymers - fluoropolymers, fluoroelastomers, fluorinated fluids, semi-aromatic polyamides, sulfone polymers, aromatic ultra polymers, high-barrier polymers and cross-linked high-performance compounds - for use in Aerospace, Alternative Energy, Automotive, Healthcare, Membranes, Oil & Gas, Packaging, Plumbing, Semiconductors, Wire & Cable, and other markets. Learn more at www.solvayspecialtypolymers.com.

Solvay is an international chemical Group committed to sustainable development with a clear focus on innovation and operational excellence. It is realizing over 90% of its sales in markets where it is among the top 3 global leaders. Solvay offers a broad range of products that contribute to improving quality of life and the performance of its customers in markets such as consumer goods, construction, automotive, energy, water and environment, and electronics. The Group is headquartered in Brussels and its companies, which employ about 31,000 people in 55 countries, generated EUR 12.7 billion in net sales in 2011 (pro forma). Solvay SA (SOLB.BE) is listed on NYSE Euronext in Brussels and Paris (Bloomberg: SOLB.BB - Reuters: SOLBt.BR).

Press Contact:

Joseph Grande

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