Solvay Specialty Polymers to Host "Lunch and Learn" Educational Session at AAOS Meeting in San Francisco
ALPHARETTA, Ga. - Solvay Specialty Polymers USA, LLC - a leading global supplier of high-performance thermoplastics offered for use in a range of markets including implantable and non-implantable medical devices - will host a "Lunch and Learn Session " during the upcoming American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons (AAOS) 2012 annual meeting scheduled Feb. 7-9 in San Francisco. The educational session, set for Feb. 8 from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. at the San Francisco Marriott Marquis, will feature speakers from Solvay and Secant Medical® LLC, a leading manufacturer of custom biomedical textile structures for medical devices.
Maria Gallahue-Worl, Solvay's business development manager for healthcare, will discuss "High-Performance Plastics Alternatives for Metal Instruments - Reusable and Single Use." The talk will outline the market trends affecting material selection and present high-performance polymer options that can meet the requirements for instrumentation that are typically produced in metals. The process for choosing the appropriate high-performance material and the pros and cons of various plastic production methods will also be addressed. The talk will consider both RUI and SUI applications and provide case studies to highlight the benefits of these alternatives.
In addition, Jeffrey Koslosky, vice president of Secant Medical's advanced technology group, will discuss "Biomedical Textiles in Implantable Medical Devices." He will focus on the various methods and unique materials used to create biomedical textiles for medical devices.
The Lunch and Learn session is open to engineering, business development, product management, and research and development representatives at major orthopaedic OEMs and Tier I suppliers.
At the AAOS meeting, Solvay Specialty Polymers (Booth #759) will showcase its wide range of polymers offered for use in implantable and non-implantable medical devices. Medical grade plastics for instrumentation, reusable and single-use devices, medical equipment, and sterilization cases and trays include Radel® polyphenylsulfone (PPSU), Udel® polysulfone (PSU), Ixef® polyarylamide (PARA), AvaSpire® polyaryletherketone (PAEK), and KetaSpire® polyetheretherketone (PEEK) resins.
Solvay's rapidly growing polymer business in healthcare also includes Solviva® Biomaterials, which are offered for use in implantable medical devices. The line of biomaterials includes Zeniva® PEEK, which boasts a modulus very close to that of bone plus excellent biocompatibility, toughness, and fatigue resistance; Proniva® self-reinforced polyphenylene (SRP), one of the world's stiffest and strongest unreinforced thermoplastic that offers exceptional hardness and biocompatibility; Eviva® polysulfone (PSU), which offers practical toughness in a strong, transparent polymer; and Veriva® polyphenylsulfone (PPSU), which provides unsurpassed toughness combined with transparency and excellent biocompatibility.
Solvay has expanded its focus on the healthcare industry to meet the growing needs of its global customers. Several months ago, the company 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, according to the company.
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.
Those interested in attending the Lunch and Learn can contact Lara Thompson at (770) 770-8919 or e-mail lara.thompson@solvay.com.
About Solvay Specialty Polymers
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 33 brands of high-performance polymers - fluoropolymers, fluoroelastomers, fluorinated fluids, semi-aromatic polyamides, sulfone polymers, aromatic ultra polymers, high-barrier p ol polymers and cross-linked high-performance compounds - for use in Aerospace, Alternative Energy, Automotive, Healthcare, Membranes, Oil & Gas, Packaging, Plumbing, semmiconductors, Wire & Cable, and other markets. Learn more at www.solvayspecialtypolymers.com.
SOSolvay is an international chemical Group committed to sustainable development with a clear focus on innovation and operational excellence. Its recent acquisition of specialty chemicals company Rhodia created a much larger player which 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 its customers' performance in markets such as consumer goods, construction, automotive, energy, water and environment, and electronics. The Group is headquartered in Brussels and its companies employ about 30,000 people in 55 countries and generated EUR 12 billion in sales (pro forma) in 2010. Solvay SA is listed on NYSE Euronext (SOLB.BE - Bloomberg: SOLB.BB - Reuters: SOLBt.BR).
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