BACKGROUND
IPC – INNOVATIVE POLYMER COMPOUNDS is a specialist compounder of Medical Grade Engineering Polymers based in Kilbeggan, County Westmeath, Ireland for a wide range of Medical Device applications including long-term implantable, short-term implantable devices as well as external devices.
CHALLENGE
The challenge was to develop the required formulation knowledge in-house, including implementation of the necessary test equipment and procedures to provide a complete compound development service and properly advise customers on product formulations. Closing the Formulation knowledge gap enabled IPC to grow their current business and expand their current customer offerings.
INNOVATION
The Polymer Centre worked directly with IPC to assist:
- With the management of increased technical enquiries.
- The establishment of an efficient test laboratory.
- The development of new medical material formulations.
- The procurement and commissioning of a new compounding production line.
RESULT
As a result of working with the AMIC - Polymers, IPC reduced lead times for customer enquiries, created new links with customers and suppliers. IPC developed relationships with new customers across Ireland, the UK, the Middle East, and Europe, and through working with AMIC staff, have been able to dedicate time and resources into providing customer with solutions of the highest standards to their shortcomings and help them develop new formulations for medical applications.
IPC have also been able to develop new marketing material for the current and new product lines available from IPC and have visited numerous medical tradeshows where they have been able to market the new products as well as meet customers to speak about current and new projects.
As a consequence, IPC’s technical engineers have gained materials knowledge, an extended product portfolio and overall increase in confidence.
IMPACT
- The establishment of R&D methods for the development of new compound formulations for customers.
- The development of marketing material for the high-margin resorbable and metal replacement compounds.
- The establishment of the PCTC (Polymer Compound Testing Centre).
- IPC have also gained a collaborative testing relationship with Queen's University Belfast which will allow for testing and analysis of compounds for IPC customers going forward.
WHAT OUR CLIENTS SAY
“Working with Queen's on the FUSION project allowed me to gain knowledge and expertise in polymer analysis and processing through closely working with the staff at AMIC. IPC have benefited from the relationship with AMIC by upskilling Engineers in the area of polymer analysis and development. The resources provided to IPC through Queen's University Belfast has led to improved R&D techniques."