Skip to main content
Sister Publication Links
  • European Rubber Journal
  • Plastics News
  • Tire Business
Subscribe
  • Login
  • Register
  • Subscribe
  • News
    • Tire
    • Airless Tires
    • Non-Tire
    • More News
    • Suppliers
    • Silicone
    • Latex
    • Technical Notebooks
    • Opinion
    • Online Exclusive
    • Special Reports
    • Automotive
    • Executive Action
    • Government/Legal
    • Sustainability
    • Blogs
      • Products
      • Wacky World of Rubber
    • Best Places to Work
    • War in Ukraine
    • Rubber Division IEC
    • ITEC
    • Women Breaking the Mold
  • PFAS
  • Custom
    • Sponsored Content
    • White Papers
  • Resources
    • Directory
    • Classifieds & Mold Mart
  • Data
  • Events
    • RN Events
    • RN Livestreams/Webinars
    • Industry Events
    • Past Events
    • Rubber News M&A Live
    • PFAS Live
    • Ask the Expert
    • International Tire Exhibition & Conference (ITEC)
    • Women Breaking the Mold Networking Forum
  • Advertise
  • DIGITAL EDITION
MENU
Breadcrumb
  1. Home
  2. News
September 24, 2015 02:00 AM

Medline to expand in South Carolina

Mike McNulty
  • Tweet
  • Share
  • Share
  • Email
  • More
    Print
    Paul Bottcher, division president for surgical gloves and orthopedics at Medline.

    MUNDELEIN, Ill.—Medline Industries Inc. is adding new equipment and employees as it expands capacity by 30 percent at its Honea Path, S.C., production plant.

    Its fourth capacity boost at the facility in 11 years is needed to support an increased demand for latex-free alternatives to natural rubber latex, a company official said, and the plant produces a synthetic polyisoprene material called Isolex, which is used in the firm's Sensicare surgical gloves.

    Additional capacity at the site is slated to come on line in March 2016.

    “An estimated 5 to 18 percent of health care workers have allergies to natural rubber,” said Paul Bottcher, division president for surgical gloves and orthopedics. “As a result, health care facilities are eliminating products made with latex.”

    That has resulted in the need for more Isolex, which is the only material the Honea Path factory produces, he said.

    Medline, a producer of synthetic latex gloves for the health care industry, currently has 23 full-time employees at the plant. That number will increase to roughly 35 after the expansion, according to Bottcher.

    Manufacturing Isolex is a very automated process, he said, so most of the new equipment will consist of different tanks, reactors, piping and programmable systems.

    “Our latex-free Sensicare surgical gloves made with Isolex continue to gain worldwide adoption among surgeons for the tactile sensitivity, comfort and protection they provide compared to latex gloves,” Bottcher said. “Isolex-made products provide the performance of natural rubber latex without the harmful latex proteins.”

    As the Mundelein-based company accelerates the growth of its surgical glove business in existing and new markets globally, he said, “being able to control the quality, cost, R&D and supply of the Isolex raw material is very important to us.

    “With a growing demand for latex alternatives for medical applications such as catheters and bandage adhesives, to name a few, we are excited to continue to grow this segment of our business.”

    Medline manufactures all of its surgical gloves at its factories in Malaysia. Its Isolex material is shipped from the U.S. to the Malaysian glove facilities for the gloves, which are sold worldwide.

    Bottcher said Isolex also is shipped to other companies that use the material for other medical applications.

    In addition to surgical and examination gloves, Medline produces numerous other lines of goods, including products for advanced wound and skin care; lab supplies and diagnostics; patient and professional apparel; incontinence care; respiratory care; and infection prevention.

    Related Articles
    AirBoss completes deal to purchase IRT
    Semperit to open new glove plant in Malaysia
    Unified Showa expands as Best name fades away
    International regulations gain momentum across industries
    FDA proposes ban on most powdered medical gloves
    Proposed ban doesn't upset glove makers; Industry ditching powder
    Letter
    to the
    Editor

    Rubber News wants to hear from its readers. If you want to express your opinion on a story or issue, email your letter to Editor Bruce Meyer at [email protected].

    Most Popular
    1
    Breaking molds, inspiring an entire industry | Women Breaking the Mold 2023
    2
    Banu Bilgin, Prometeon Tyre Group | Women Breaking the Mold 2023
    3
    Camille Duvalle, ExxonMobil Product Solutions Co. | Women Breaking the Mold 2023
    4
    Diya Garware Ibanez, Fulflex | Women Breaking the Mold 2023
    5
    3 key issues the UAW is fighting for in Detroit 3 contracts
    SIGN UP FOR NEWSLETTERS
    EMAIL ADDRESS

    Please enter a valid email address.

    Please enter your email address.

    Please verify captcha.

    Please select at least one newsletter to subscribe.

    Get our newsletters

    Staying current is easy with Rubber News delivered straight to your inbox, free of charge.

    Subscribe Today

    Subscribe to Rubber News to get the best coverage and leading insights in the industry.

    SUBSCRIBE
    Connect with Us
    • LinkedIn
    • Facebook
    • Twitter

    MISSION

    To serve companies in the global rubber product industry by delivering news, industry insights, opinions and technical information.

    Contact Us

    2291 Riverfront Pkwy, Suite 1000
    Cuyahoga Falls,
    OH 44221

    Customer Service:
    877-320-1726

    Resources
    • About Us
    • Digital Edition
    • Staff
    • Advertise
    • Order Reprints
    • Privacy Policy
    • Privacy Request
    • Terms of Service
    • Careers
    • Ad Choices
    • Sitemap
    Partner Sites
    • Tire Business
    • European Rubber Journal
    • Plastics News
    • Urethanes Technology
    • Automotive News
    • Crain Brands
    Copyright © 1996-2023. Crain Communications, Inc. All Rights Reserved.
    • News
      • Tire
      • Airless Tires
      • Non-Tire
      • More News
        • Automotive
        • Executive Action
        • Government/Legal
        • Sustainability
        • Blogs
          • Products
          • Wacky World of Rubber
      • Suppliers
      • Silicone
      • Latex
      • Technical Notebooks
      • Opinion
      • Online Exclusive
      • Special Reports
        • Best Places to Work
        • War in Ukraine
        • Rubber Division IEC
        • ITEC
        • Women Breaking the Mold
    • PFAS
    • Custom
      • Sponsored Content
      • White Papers
    • Resources
      • Directory
      • Classifieds & Mold Mart
    • Data
    • Events
      • RN Events
        • International Tire Exhibition & Conference (ITEC)
        • Women Breaking the Mold Networking Forum
      • RN Livestreams/Webinars
      • Industry Events
      • Past Events
      • Rubber News M&A Live
      • PFAS Live
      • Ask the Expert
    • Advertise
    • DIGITAL EDITION