Solvay Selects ResMart to Distribute Healthcare Resins

Solvay has named ResMart LLC as the North American distributor for its medical grade polymers as part of Solvay’s new global distribution optimization initiative. Effective May 14, ResMart officially took over for Foster Corporation, the previous distributor of these materials, which will allow customers to purchase Solvay’s high-performance resins from a single source. Going forward, Foster will continue to fulfill both licensed and custom orders for many of Solvay’s healthcare polymers due to its strength in custom biomedical polymer compounding.
 
ResMart has been distributing several of Solvay’s specialty polymers for healthcare applications including Radel polyphenylsulfone (PPSU), Veradel HC polyethersulfone (PESU), and Udel polysulfone (PSU), throughout North America for the last five years. This new distribution agreement will now allow the company to distribute Solvay’s family of medical-grade Ixef polyarylamide (PARA) compounds as well. The Fort Worth, Texas-based company will handle orders for amounts less than one metric ton (2,204 pounds), while Solvay will continue to accept direct orders that meet or exceed this minimum order quantity. 
 
“We are very pleased to take on a larger role in distributing Solvay’s high-performance polymers across North America,” said Ray Cross, general manager, ResMart. “Our broad regional presence, as well as advanced technologies and processes enable us to optimize our distribution speed, accuracy and efficiency to meet the needs of Solvay’s customers. We look forward to continuing our relationship with Solvay to offer best-in-class material solutions for tomorrow’s healthcare applications.”
 
ResMart is able to offer expedited fulfillment for orders of Solvay’s healthcare materials due to their multiple, nationwide distribution centers and status as a stocking distributor. ResMart also offers materials engineering and selection guidance, processing support, and in-house laboratory services.
 
“This expansion of our relationship with ResMart will benefit our customers in many important ways,” said Art Tigera, North American sales director for Solvay’s Specialty Polymers global business unit. “Solvay resins address top healthcare industry requirements, including broad sterilization capabilities, toughness, durability, design flexibility, and excellent resistance to aggressive chemical disinfectants that can cause environmental stress cracking in lower performing polymers. Working with ResMart’s dedicated healthcare group allows us to simplify our North American distribution network and be in the best position to broadly deliver these advanced material solutions to meet customers’ changing needs.”
 
Solvay’s high-performance materials are well suited for the demanding requirements of important healthcare applications. For example, Solvay’s Ixef PARA resin provides a unique combination of strength, stiffness and surface aesthetics, making it an excellent candidate to replace metal in single-use surgical instruments, medical devices and components for medical equipment. Radel PPSU resin’s ability to withstand over 1,000 autoclave cycles without significant loss of mechanical properties or appearance makes it the undisputed choice for applications requiring repeated steam sterilization. Veradel HC PESU resin’s high heat resistant, transparency and high melt flow make it an excellent alternative to polyetherimide (PEI). Finally, Solvay’s Udel PSU resin delivers strength, toughness and dimensional stability for applications with exacting requirements.
 
Ixef, Radel, Veradel, and Udel are registered trademarks of Solvay.