Victrex Polymer Innovation Center
Victrex completes its new $13 million (£10 million) Polymer Innovation Center. The facility is fully operational for research and development focused upon Victrex PEEK polymer and other differentiated grades within the PAEK family of thermoplastics. The company recently introduced Victrex AE250 composites for the aerospace industry, in line with its polymer-to-parts strategy.Located at the company´s U.K. headquarters, the new center will reportedly enable rapid prototyping of new parts and components with novel PAEK materials. The manufacture of new and differentiated polyaryletherketones on a technical scale will help in the research and testing of high-performance polymer grades aimed at achieving progress in areas such as composites and 3D printing/additive manufacturing, according to the company. Victrex is currently leading a consortium backed by Innovate UK to focus on 3D printing. Helping to improve the process for manufacturing existing polymers will also be supported by the new center.
The center is expected to create approximately 60 new jobs in the region over the next 10 years, according to Victrex. It reportedly delivers 30-70 kg (66-154 lbs) batch manufacture of novel polyaryletherketones and can support the continual improvement in quality and performance of existing products.
For more information, visit: www.victrex.com