Solvay (Brussels / Belgium; www.solvay.com) has licensed Mitsubishi Chemical Advanced Materials’ (MCAM, Tielt / Belgium; www.mcam.com) MediTECH division to supply extruded stock shapes made from the Belgian producer’s “Zeniva” PEEK. Stock shapes produced from Zeniva PEEK – high-performance polymers – are used primarily for orthopaedic, cardiac and neurological implantable devices. MediTECH already supplies orthopaedic implant manufacturers with implantable-grade UHMW-PE under the “Chirulen” and “Extrulen” brand names.

The agreement extends an existing partnership between the two companies, as MCAM has manufactured Solvay’s Zeniva PEEK shapes since the material’s inception 12 years ago – see Plasteurope.com of 07.11.2007. Eric Tech, global market manager for the medical industry at Mitsubishi Chemical Advanced Materials, said the global agreement with Solvay complements the company’s existing portfolio of UHMW implantable products. “In conjunction with MediTECH’s unique ‘Near Net’ manufacturing technology, we can provide customers with productivity improvements and a simplified supply chain,” he added.