£15m invested in downstream manufacturing for medical sector

Victrex will invest up to £15m ($22.7m) in downstream manufacturing for the medical and industrial sectors

The PAEK-based solutions provider announced that it will build a new PEEK composite facility and add new manufacturing capability for medical trauma plate applications at its UK headquarters.

 Victrex´s chief executive David Hummel, said: “To deliver solutions to our customers and consequently shape future performance means continued investment to drive our future growth programs.”

In the medical sector Victrex will use its downstream manufacturing facilities to produce trauma plates, composed of the high-performance composite PEEK-OPTIMA Ultra-Reinforced and delivered by Invibio Biomaterial Solutions, Victrex´s medical division.

Victrex said that PEEK-OPTIMA Ultra-Reinforced trauma plates offer 50x better fatigue resistance compared to metal, x-ray translucency.

Hummel said: “We are particularly encouraged by the opportunity in this market. Downstream manufacturing capability of trauma plate components will enhance our offering and enable us to meet initial demand.”

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 according to the company.