INDUSTRY NEWS
The VTC TPE Group Ltd. (Middleton, Lancs, UK) has recently completed a €3.7 million expansion of its thermoplastic elastomer (TPE) production facility in Åmål, Sweden. The investment adds a fourth production line to the Swedish facility, increasing its output by 4000 t per year. Annual production capacity is expected to exceed 35,000 t.
The Swedish facility compounds clear, sterile thermoplastic elastomers for food and medical applications. The new production line will be dedicated to the formulation of a number of compounds, including the Mediprene range of TPE materials, which meets USP Class VI and ISO 10993-5 criteria. Suitable for medical device applications, Mediprene TPE grades are completely synthetic and free of latex and PVC, avoiding potential allergy risks. The compounds can be sterilized by various methods.
The line makes use of a twin extruder combined with 10 gravimetric feeders that require minimal human intervention. Raw materials are transported automatically by means of a robotic crane and a series of roll boats, allowing palletized goods to be moved safely and efficiently around the production area. An operator terminal connected to a series of computer systems controls the production process, providing the operator with full access to trend curves, formulations, machine parameters, and test results to ensure batch-to-batch consistency.
For more information, contact VTC TPE Group Ltd., Don St., Middleton, Lancs M24 2DB, UK; phone: +44 161 6431133; fax: +44 161 6535411; e-mail: info@britishvita.com; Internet: www.britishvita.com.
