VTC TPE

British Vita’s TPE Group invest in clean compound technology and expand capacity

Manchester, U.K. – 11 October, 2006 – The VTC TPE Group, British Vita’s Thermoplastic Elastomer (TPE) Compounding Group, have invested £2.6 million (3.7 million euro) in clean technology at VTC Elastoteknik, the Group’s Swedish production facility. The investment includes a fourth production line, which will come on stream in September 2006 and will increase production by 4,000 tonnes per annum bringing the capacity of the Group to more than 35,000 tonnes.

VTC Elastoteknik specialises in the conception, formulation and production of clean, clear TPS compounds for medical, food and associated applications. The new line will be dedicated to the production of clean compounds including the VTC TPE Group’s Mediprene® range of TPE materials. Based on medically approved raw materials and with representative grades that have passed USP Class VI as well as cytotoxicity tests according to USP <87>/ISO 10993-5, the development of its Mediprene® TPE compound family has given the Group a strong presence in the European medical device market. Mediprene® TPE grades not only meet customer demands for being PVC-free, but are also completely synthetic and thus latex free, avoiding potential allergy risks. Furthermore all Mediprene® TPE compounds can be sterilised by established techniques in the medical industry.

The new line is a Berstorff twin extruder combined with ten gravimetric feeders which assist in material handling with minimal human intervention. All raw materials will be transported automatically via robot crane and a series of roll-boats, allowing palletised goods to be moved safely and efficiently around the production area and reducing forklift handling by 80 percent. The production process is controlled by a series of computer systems connected to one operator terminal, providing the operator with full access to trend curves, formulations, machine parameters and test results ensuring batch to batch consistency.

Speaking about the investment Howard Harris, CEO of British Vita, said “I was delighted to launch the new line at VTC Elastoteknik, this is a significant investment for the British Vita Group as it is the first substantial expenditure sanctioned following the change of ownership in 2005.”

Mr. Per G. Hellberg, Managing Director of the VTC TPE Group, said: “The investment confirms British Vita’s commitment to this important product area. We look forward to expanding the range of compounds on offer by the VTC TPE Group as our technical teams work with customers to capitalize on the significant design and processing opportunities offered by TPEs.”

In April 2005 British Vita’s TPE Group acquired the thermoplastic elastomer business of Valerio Franceschetti Elastomeri. Today the VTC TPE Group comprises of three sites, Vita Thermoplastic Polymers, Manchester, UK, VTC Elastoteknik, Åmål, Sweden and VTC Franceschetti Elastomeri, Nigoline, Italy.

Reader enquiries

VTC TPE Group
Green Street, Middleton
M24 2JB MANCHESTER
United Kingdom

+44 161 655 2613

jbradford@​vtcglobal.com

www.vtctpe.com


Notes for editors


About the VTC TPE Group

The VTC TPE Group is an integral part of the Compounding Division of British Vita. Dedicated exclusively to supporting the Thermoplastic Elastomer (TPE) user market, the group supports OEMs, moulders and designers at all stages of product development in the medical, electronic, automotive, construction and sports & leisure industry.

Collectively, the members have a history of more than 60 years of successfully customising TPE compounds to meet customers’ specifications and as part of Vita Thermoplastic Compounds the group has gone from strength to strength and now comprises of three world class sites, Vita Thermoplastic Polymers in the UK, VTC Elastoteknik in Sweden and VTC Franceschetti Elastomeri in Italy.

VTC TPE compounds were among the first to be manufactured in Europe and today, embracing TPS, TPOs and TPVs, the group’s portfolio of TPEs is one of the widest in the marketplace. Led by global brands Vitaprene®, Dryflex®, Mediprene®, Marfran® and Elifran®, VTC TPE compounds merge the high value properties of thermoplastics and rubbers for a broad range of applications demanding a soft feel and flexible, technical material solution.

Experience more at www.vtctpe.com

Mediprene®, Vitaprene®, Dryflex®, Marfran® and Elifran® are registered trademarks the property of The British Vita Group of companies.

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Editorial enquiries

Jill Bradford
VTC TPE Group

+44 161 655 2613

jbradford@​vtcglobal.com

Tessa Vroegop
EMG

+31 164 317 013

tvroegop@​emg.nl

 

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