Investment expands clean thermoplastics output

Edited by the Engineeringtalk editorial team Oct 13, 2006

The VTC TPE Group has invested GBP 2.6 million in clean technology at VTC Elastoteknik, the Group's Swedish production facility.

The VTC TPE Group, British Vita's Thermoplastic Elastomer (TPE) Compounding Group, has invested GBP 2.6 million (Eur 3.7 million) 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 4000 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 ISO10993-5, 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%.

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".

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 capitalise 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, Amal, Sweden and VTC Franceschetti Elastomeri, Nigoline, Italy.