Americhem Inc.'s ColorRx-brand medical compounds and concentrates now are available in Europe.
In a news release, officials with Americhem in Cuyahoga Falls, Ohio, said the materials are available in several standard colors and base resins "to help European OEMs and their molders kickstart their medical device development."
"We're furthering our global reach and regional focus by extending Americhem's capabilities to meet increasing European healthcare industry demand," Barto DuPlessis, Europe vice president and general manager, said in the release.
He added that Americhem's masterbatch and compounding work in advanced surgical instruments, robotic-assisted surgery, drug delivery, catheters and hearing aids "lines up perfectly with the needs of the European healthcare market."
ColorRX materials are made in three ISO 13485 and cGMP compliant facilities, officials added. The formulations undergo rigorous biocompatibility testing, providing "peace of mind" for healthcare applications, they said.
Materials in the ColorRx line also are RoHS and REACH compliant, officials said, and offer eco-friendly formulations that reduce environmental impact. Demand for medical materials is increasing because of an aging patient population, miniaturization of devices, demand for sustainable products and growth in emerging markets, they added.
Earlier this year, Americhem began sourcing all electricity used at its headquarters through a local renewable energy program. The program will allow the firm to eliminate about 750 metric tons of CO2 emissions annually, an amount that equals the amount of carbon sequestered by 875 acres of U.S. forests in one year.
Americhem employs more than 900 and is one of North America's 30 largest compounders and concentrate makers, according to Plastics News data.