Implantable Silicones Business Changes Hands

Originally Published MPMN July 2003

INDUSTRY NEWS

Implantable Silicones Business Changes Hands

Norbert Sparrow

Nusil Technology (Carpinteria, CA; www.nusil.com) has acquired the long-term implantable silicones business from Rhodia Silicones. NuSil made the announcement on June 3 at the MD&M East show in New York City.

Long-term implantable silicones are used in medical devices that are implanted for 29 days or longer. More than 30 former Rhodia products are now under the NuSil umbrella as a result of the sale. The material is used in cochlear implants, stomach elastic bands, and pacemaker lead coatings, among other medicaldevices.

Manufacturing and customer support services are being transferred to NuSil's headquarters near Santa Barbara, CA. The firm will continue to service existing global customers from there. It has also announced that it will honor the pricing on all purchase orders made prior to the acquisition.

"This sale allows us to remain focused on the growth opportunities of our healthcare business," says John Foley, general manager for Rhodia Silicones North America. "Rhodia had a fairly small position in the long-term implantables market." By withdrawing from thissector, the company will be able to better support the growth of its liquid-silicone-rubber business, addsFoley.

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