Extrusion International USA 5-2022

32 Extrusion International 5/2022 32 INDUSTRY NEWS “MEDD”ical Extruder Aids Impossible  For Vesta Thermoplastics, a Lubri- zol Life Science Health (LLS Health) Company, extruding the impossible is a daily endeavor. However, Davis- Standard’s extruders have risen to the challenge. Vesta, a leading sup - plier of tight-tolerance extrusions for the medical industry, recently installed a Davis-Standard MEDD ex - truder to augment the company’s ex - isting Davis-Standard HPE extruders. The MEDD has helped Vesta increase productivity, alleviate potential back- logs and address shorter lead times for the company’s diverse portfolio of thin-wall tubing, multi-lumen, and coextrusion products. This includes tubing and devices that support sin- gle-use and long-term implantable applications such as neurostimula- tion, feeding and drainage tubes, catheters, and vascular loops. “We’ve had a lot of success with our HPE extruders, and the MEDD has been a welcomed addition. We bought this machine during 2022 MD&M West since the show is only 30 minutes from our facility, making delivery very convenient,” explained Steven Mayol, Senior Process Engi- neer at Vesta Thermoplastics. “Instal - lation went smoothly and the MEDD is already proving to be a good invest- ment. Being able to exchange barrel sizes when necessary and having the capacity to run a variety of high-tem- perature polymers is essential to our business model. We pride ourselves in delivering extrusion tubing that no one can challenge, including extru - sions that involve new polymers.” The MEDD’s interchangeable bar- rel assembly, ease of maintenance, and operator accessibility have been notable for Vesta. This design is spe - cific to clean room environments, providing a replaceable feed section liner and direct drive technology for bottom line efficiency and ma - terials flexibility. Stainless steel sur - faces, quick change capabilities, and a broad polymer range enable the tubing consistency and reliable per- formance Vesta needs to serve cur - rent and emerging medical markets. Vesta’s innovation encompasses lead tubing, balloon tubing, custom extru - sion, PEEK extrusion, braided tubing, striping and multi-layer coextrusion, multi-lumen, heat shrink tubing, rap- id and bump extrusion. Mayol also appreciates Davis- Standard’s personalized approach to service. “Davis-Standard has been exemplary with timely, customer- centric service. Their troubleshoot- ing support has also been helpful whenever we’ve needed it,” he said. “This includes designing the right feedscrews for our polymer range to address targeted outputs with excel - lent melt quality and product consis- tency.” Davis-Standard, LLC www.davis-standard.com www.lubrizol.com/Health/Medical/ Device-Contract- Manufacturing/Medical-Device-Manu- facturing-Capabilities/Medical-Extrusion  The recent launch of production at Milliken & Company’s impressive, new clarifier plant in Blacksburg, South Carolina, will enhance access to the Millad ® NX ® 8000 additive for customers worldwide. This facility will enable Milliken to meet increas- ing demand for these products well into the future. ”We’re pleased to report that the plant has begun manufacturing prod- uct, and we plan to reach full operat- ing capacity by the end of 2022, allow- ing us to increase Millad production by 50 percent,” said Cindy Boiter, president of Milliken’s Chemical Busi- ness. Announced earlier this year, “this represents the largest clarifier plant investment in Milliken history.” Millad NX 8000 helps reduce carbon emissions by enabling converters to lower their energy use during process- ing while also improving production efficiency. This has never been more important than during this period of unparalleled spikes in energy prices. Additionally, these certified energy savings allow brand owners using PP clarified with Millad NX 8000 ECO to display the much-desired UL Environ- mental Claim Validation label on their injection-molded parts. Boiter went on to recognize the im- pressive efforts that went into mak- ing this plant opening a reality. “We greatly appreciate all the efforts of our associates who were involved in making this plant exceptional.”  Milliken has long been known for its innovation, collaboration and commitment to advancing sus- tainability. Recognized as one of the “World’s Most Ethical Compa- nies” by Ethisphere Institute for 16 straight years, the firm leverages its 157-year history and extensive chemical expertise to tailor products that make the world a better place and create a healthier future for generations. Millad NX 8000 is an excellent example of applying inno - Production at World-Class Clarifier Plant Launched Employee working with the Davis-StandardMEDD equipment in the Vesta Thermoplastics facility