WILMINGTON, Del.—As the rapid expansion of the health care market goes, so goes DuPont's Liveo line of health care solutions in the medical silicone elastomer space.
DuPont said Sept. 7 that its 2019 investment in medical-grade elastomer mixers at the Healthcare Industries Materials Site in Hemlock, Mich., is coming to fruition, as the mixers have been installed and will begin operating Sept. 29.
They will increase the capacity of the Liveo lines, which have applications in the specialty medical device realm. In addition, they will boost production of certain topical excipients and "will support expansion of in-house production of Liveo pharmaceutical silicone tubing for biopharmaceutical processing," the company stated in a press release.
"DuPont is committed to pursuing investments in health care capabilities to better serve customers around the world and enable them to grow, innovate and save lives," said Eugenio Toccalino, global business director for DuPont Healthcare and Specialty Lubricants. "As a result of the global biologic production trend, the reliability and adaptability of single-use components suppliers is more critical than ever.
"These continued investments are a testament to our long-term commitment to the health care industry."
DuPont's investments—the total amount was not disclosed—also include a new over-molded assembly in Hemlock at the HIMS site, scheduled to begin operations in November.
The OMA will allow DuPont to increase its manufacturing footprint in high-purity fluid transfer and biopharma processes.
Investments in other facilities outside Michigan include the projected 2022 opening of a new health care site for biopharma tubing in Cooper River, S.C.; and increased manufacturing capabilities in China for biopharma processing tubing.
The Cooper River site is expected to become the second dedicated health care site for DuPont medical silicone elastomers, the company said, "ensuring business continuity for our customers and offering a highly reliable and sustainable supply of healthcare solutions."
"The Liveo pharma tubing manufactured in Cooper River will meet the same level of quality management and health care regulatory compliance as Liveo pharma tubing products manufactured at HIMS," DuPont stated.
The investments in China are expected to meet increasing demand for medical silicone tubing there.
"The deployment of these multiple investments will ... alleviate pressure on supply chains and help customers grow in their respective markets," DuPont said.
