THE FUTURE, - Solvay

210225 210392
BIOMATERIALS NEW BUSINESS LAUNCH
Solviva, a real contribution
to quality of life
THE PROJECT. Several million people across
the world have had surgery to replace or repair
bones, including two million in the United States.
This generally involves metal implants, which are
not always comfortable for the patient, cause
imaging problems with certain diagnostic
technologies and have a limited life due to the
tendency of bones to grow away from the metal
implant. After studying the risks of this medical
market with the help of the Solvay Risk
Management Tool, Solvay Advanced Polymers
decided to embark on the development and
introduction of a range of specialty polymers
called Solviva for use in implantable devices.
The product portfolio is very comprehensive, with
polymers named Zeniva (PEEK), Proniva
(self-reinforced polyphenylene), Veriva (PPSU)
and Eviva (PSU). Their main strengths lie in
their high chemical inertness, stiffness and
exceptional strength. By offering a range of
polymers from which design engineers can
develop new devices, Solvay Advanced Polymers
is allowing manufacturers to take their innovation
to new levels. By opening new opportunities for
the development of implants, Solviva is making
a signifi cant contribution to the growing demand
of the population for improved health care.
SBU SPECIALTY POLYMERS
> Shawn Shorrock; Fendi Fei; Wendy Ho;
Carrie Mc Michael; Joe Rummler;
Kendra Shoulders.
STORMBOX ® : A NEW GENERATION OF
INFILTRATION UNITS
Come rain or shine
THE PROJECT. Rainwater management
in urban areas and on motorways is crucial
to avoid fl ooding.
For this Pipelife has developed the concept
of water infi ltration units with its Stormboxes ® .
These offer maximum storage capacity,
with optimized water fl ow to facilitate infi ltration.
They are also easy to assemble and stack
to cover large areas up to great heights.
Their mechanical strength after installation
allows them to be covered with fi ll or other
materials and to withstand the passage of heavy
vehicles as on highways. They are equipped with
inspection chambers to ensure proper operation
over time and have a working life of at least
50 years, all at an extremely competitive cost.
The innovativeness of these Stormboxes ®
lies in their ease of manufacture by injection
molding, their low weight (obtained
by reducing the amount of material, while
retaining their strength), their ability to circulate
the water and thus ensure that it drains well,
and the opportunity to inspect them from three
different sides. Used together with geotextiles,
Stormbox ® stacks can play a regulatory role in
soil moisture.
These units are obviously compatible with all
pipes and fi ttings systems in the Pipelife range,
and supplement its commercial offering.
Marketing is currently ongoing through
the Pipelife network.
SBU PIPELIFE
> Hielke Hoekstra; Guillaume Bucco;
Maarten Kruijer; Michael Schouten.
Solvay live - JULY 2009 - 25