Solvay and Boeing partner to produce PPE

Solvay has partnered with aerospace company Boeing to produce protective equipment for healthcare professionals dealing with COVID-19 on the front line.

Solvay will be supplying the high-performance, medical-grade transparent film to Boeing, who will use this material for the production of face shields.

The partnership formed when Boeing approached Solvay due to its experience in the use of advanced composite and adhesive materials on multiple commercial and defence programmes.

Thermoplastic film, manufactured by Solvay's Ajedium Films business, will be used by Boeing in the production of thousands of face shields which are critically needed by hospitals and medical workers in the U.S. to protect them from Covid-19. The film will be manufactured using Solvay’s medical-grade Radel PolyPhenylSUlfone (PPSU) or Udel PolySUlfone (PSU). Both of these are transparent specialty polymers which are widely used for medical devices due to their ability to be sterilised and withstand aggressive disinfectants.

Jeff Hrivnak, healthcare global business development manager for Solvay Specialty Polymers,  said: "We are honoured to bring our product expertise to our customers in this time of crisis.

"Boeing is rising to the occasion by providing more durable face shields now in critical demand for our heroic healthcare workers, and we are proud to help make that possible."

More information can be found on Solvay's dedicated page on COVID-19 emergency production.