Material innovation at Benvic takes the fight directly to COVID 19

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All around the world today, resources are being mobilized to fight the novel COVID 19 virus; from sanitary systems to industries and citizen actions. All nations are committed to find solutions that can reinforce and support medical procedures, hospitals and health structures.

At Benvic the spirit of innovation was mobilised immediately – in order to help manufacturers meet the worldwide crisis with fast-track products and healthcare solutions. The company’s range of PLA compounds, for example, has seen high demand additive, particularly from the additive manufacturing sector who are supplying to the medical frontline.

Additive manufacturing, sometimes known as “3D printing”, has been proven to be an excellent way to make products instantly, and in a decentralized manner. Many kinds of machines in different laboratories, companies, universities and healthcare professionals can reproduce the same part in order to meet unexpected demands. These additive-made parts can also be easy modified on the CAD software and adapted to circumstances without constraints.

Additive manufacturing can be undertaken using various polymer grades. However, the biopolymer PLA is most used in common practice and is very well adapted to manufacturing from smaller machines.

Benvic, with its biopolymer range Plantura^®, has already developed an extensive range of PLA compounds for compostable and durable use. Benvic is already supplying many filament producers in their additive manufacturing and has boosted its support to these companies during this COVID 19 crisis.

In addition, Benvic has developed technology that allows these polymer compounds to benefit from bacteriostatic properties. The inbuilt feature of the new Benvic additive prevents bacteria proliferation on any kind of plastic surface, particularly for those who are expected to be in contact with body skin.

Benvic’s bacteriostatic polymer has been tested according to the international quality standards, ISO22196 and ISO 846.

“We have developed this new material, with our filament partner, and within quite a short time for an end-customer in Italy who is print protecting masks,” says Camilla Bortolon, account manager for the Plantura^® product range.

“Such masks are customized in line with the user morphology which is only made possible via the 3D printing process. Our new materials can make these masks reusable simply by changing the filter. In this way we can optimize resources in order to fight the virus,” she adds.

The Benvic Plantura^® range covers rigid and soft materials that can be used by any filament maker or by any extruder. The bacteriostatic additive – a technology that is exclusive to Benvic – can also be provided as masterbatch or compound for thermoplastic polymers.

Benvic is an independent group and a leader in European polymer compounding for various markets. Benvic has production facilities in France, Italy, Spain, Poland and UK.