DuPont increases capital to its medical silicone manufacturing plant to expand

In order to meet the current market demand in the healthcare market, medical equipment, biopharmaceutical business, and coronavirus vaccine research and development, DuPont announced that it will increase capital investment at its Liveo brand silicone medical product manufacturing plant in Hamlock, Michigan, USA. Increase equipment and expand production capacity, but DuPont did not disclose the amount of planned expenditure.

Diana Salvadori, Liveo Healthcare’s head of the Americas market, said: “Devices are becoming smaller, easier to use, and with more digital features. Silicone plays a role in providing high-purity, biocompatible, and inherently flexible material solutions. Plays an important role."

In the past 10 years, biologics have experienced significant growth, with increasing pressure on vaccine development and demand. DuPont will develop innovative solutions to help patients live healthier and more convenient lives.

The upgrade of the plant's facilities includes the expansion of the extrusion capacity for pipes, the new ISO 7 clean room, and the expansion of elastomer production capacity through new mixing equipment for liquid silicone rubber and high consistency rubber.

Salvadori said: "These major investments in capital and resources have enhanced the development capabilities of our Liveo Healthcare silicones. To support customer growth and accelerate the launch of new products, these targeted investments include upgrading manufacturing to improve supply capabilities. "

Liveo silicone tubing and overmolded components are used in conjunction with biopharmaceutical processing and are used in the medical equipment, biopharmaceutical processing and pharmaceutical solutions market.

The Liveo product line includes LSR and HCR medical grade elastomers, soft skin and pressure sensitive adhesives, and equipment coatings. Specifically, Liveo silicone adhesives are used in relatively new wearable devices to provide a gentle release (removal effect) and reduce skin irritation to patients. In addition, these adhesives can be used to provide pain management and treatment of neurological diseases for diseases.

Salvadori said: "Our dedicated research team is working with global manufacturers to jointly develop medical devices, including smart devices that share data between patients and doctors, thereby enhancing patient capabilities and promoting independence. From drug delivery and monitoring devices to Both short-term and long-term implants and intravenous infusion ports, our materials are driving the development of medical technology, thereby bringing more positive results to patients."

In order to transfer separated biopharmaceutical active ingredients, Liveo's high-purity, low-permeability silicone tubing provides low extractables and high leaching resistance. For fluid transfer processes, Liveo produces custom molded piping components for high-purity fluid transfer, reducing the risk of leakage and cross-contamination and reducing cleaning costs. DuPont Liveo Simethicone and Emulsion are used in oral drug delivery systems for gastrointestinal applications.

Salvadori said: “DuPont Liveo is 100% focused on healthcare.” “Many of our competitors serve multiple other industries. We are only engaged in healthcare. We follow Dow Corning’s tradition, which began innovating in medical applications in the 1950s. Use silicon. We are always inventing, innovating and applying this technology."

Salvadori said that although there has been a substantial increase in demand in the medical market that supports coronavirus diagnosis and treatment in 2020, other medical fields are still lagging behind.

Looking forward to 2021, DuPont Liveo said that it is still full of hope for this year's healthcare. The company said that various research and development work is being resumed, and other medical device and drug development areas have returned to pre-pandemic levels.

Eugenio Toccalino, Global Business Director of DuPont Liveo Healthcare, said: "We are working closely with our major customers to help support and promote their leadership in the key healthcare industry market. There is no doubt that these investments in healthcare will help in the future. To enhance and increase the value of our DuPont Liveo branded healthcare silicone solutions. We believe that DuPont Healthcare will have a positive impact on all levels of the healthcare industry’s value chain."

DuPont Liveo is part of the DuPont Transportation and Industrial business unit, which operates in the transportation, aerospace, electronics, healthcare, industrial and consumer markets.