Victrex has commissioned the first production stream of its £90 million third polyaryletherketone (PAEK) manufacturing plant.
Recent investments increase Victrex´s production capacity by 70% to more than 16 million pounds (7,000 tonnes) per year. Alongside its PAEK resin capacity, the producer has also continued its downstream investment in APTIV film, pipe, tape and now medical components.
Victrex recently identified the overall market potential for the high-performing thermoplastic PAEK as being over 176 million pounds (80,000 tonnes).
David Hummel, Chief Executive of Victrex, said: “We are continuing to move from being simply a materials manufacturer to a solutions provider. Our investment, not only in PAEK manufacturing, but in downstream capability, in know-how, in technical excellence, and research and development helps to further differentiate our company. Today, we are already able to fill gaps in the market by delivering semi-finished and finished components such as APTIV film or medical applications. With the third production facility, we are in a position to offer sustained security of supply, which is, along with rigorous quality, critical to our customers.”
The new facility for the manufacture of PAEK went into operation in the north-west of the UK during April. Both in the construction phase and now during production, the top priority for the group has been safety and protection of the environment. This is ensured by the relevant defined processes and regulatory approvals as well as the successful completion of necessary audits. In addition, a new control room ensures the centralized management and monitoring of all three production plants.
Earlier this year, the company announced a proposed Polymer Innovation Center in the UK, which will help to prototype and scale up future developments, enabling customers to test applications before full commercialisation.