Originally Published MPMN March 2009

NEED TO KNOW

Thermoplastics Compounder Opens Ultraclean Facility

A compounder of custom-engineered thermoplastics has established a controlled center for manufacturing clean compounds used in sensitive medical applications. RTP Co. (Winona, MN; www.rtpcompany.com) says that it has built the facility in response to customers’ demands for clean materials. According to Gregg Newby, RTP’s global director of marketing and business, the company has created a self-contained ultraclean compounding center to manufacture materials for applications with higher-quality requirements.

Operational with two extrusion lines, the 3300-sq-ft center has capacity for four lines and can produce most products in the company’s portfolio. Extrusion and postextrusion operations—including cooling, pelletizing, classifying, and packaging—are conducted inside a climate-controlled positive-pressure environment with interlocks to limit access.
The automated extruders have touch screen controls that allow process monitoring and data acquisition. “Compounds produced in our new facility are also ideal for applications that require extensive data recording and robust traceability of the manufacturing process,” remarks Newby. In addition, stringent operating and finished-product testing protocols are used to minimize the potential for cross-contamination during manufacturing.
RTP has also announced that its sheet and film division subsidiary, Wiman Corp. (Sauk Rapids, MN; www.wimancorp.com), has purchased the narrow gauge film extrusion facility of Omnova Solutions (Fairlawn, OH; www.omnova.com). The 40,000-sq-ft plant processes PVC, polyethylene, polypropylene, and polyester films that are used in medical products such as vascular therapy devices and blood pressure cuffs. The purchase will expand Wiman’s medical film line, enabling the company to manufacture products down to 1-mil thick.
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