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Solvay Specialty Polymers, global supplier of high-performance thermoplastics offered for use in a range of markets including implantable and non-implantable medical devices, announced several key organizational changes to further expand its focus on the healthcare industry and meet the growing needs of its global customers.
- Maria Gallahue-Worl, Business Manager-Healthcare
- Shawn Shorrock, Director of Global Regulatory Affairs-Healthcare
- Dane Waund, Global Market Manager-Healthcare
Gallahue-Worl will oversee Solvay’s global healthcare business team which will now focus on the medical implant market (Solviva® Biomaterials), the hemodialysis market and new future growth segments within the global healthcare industry. Solvay’s non-implant business includes medical grade plastics for instrumentation, reusable and single-use devices, medical equipment, and sterilization cases and trays. Over the last two years, Gallahue-Worl has been responsible for Solvay’s non-implant healthcare business which has seen significant sales growth.
“With our broad product portfolio, we are firmly positioned as a strategic supplier to the healthcare industry and the organizational changes signal our further commitment to our customers,” said Gallahue-Worl. “We are leveraging our extensive expertise in polymer manufacturing and adding substantial new resources to give our customers a competitive edge in meeting their end-use requirements.”
Waund will move from his prior position as global sales development manager and now focus on the hemodialysis market and non-implant healthcare marketing activities. Shawn Shorrock’s appointment reflects Solvay’s continued commitment to providing focused global regulatory support to the healthcare industry. For the last five years, Shorrock has served as project leader for the launch of the Solviva® Biomaterials business.
The line of Solviva® Biomaterials for use in implantable medical devices includes Zeniva® PEEK, which boasts a modulus very close to that of bone plus excellent biocompatibility, toughness, and fatigue resistance; Eviva® polysulfone (PSU), which offers practical toughness in a strong, transparent polymer; Veriva® polyphenylsulfone (PPSU), which provides unsurpassed toughness combined with transparency and excellent biocompatibility; and Proniva® self-reinforced polyphenylene (SRP), one of the world’s stiffest and strongest unreinforced thermoplastic that offers exceptional hardness and biocompatibility.
Solvay is building on its 20-year history as a key material supplier in the healthcare field, devoting considerable new resources to help customers be more efficient and cut costs. Metal-to-plastic replacement remains a key focus for manufacturers, but increased cost pressures pose a new challenge as the market continues to grow at a double-digit pace, according to the company.
Solvay also continues to devote considerable research and development activities to polymer technology and commercialization of new and unique material options for medical OEMs and processors.
