Fibre Extrusion Technology (FET) of Leeds has now delivered nine meltspinning systems to clients in the biomedical sector since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, with a similar number currently on order for 2021/22.

This confirms FET’s position as an acknowledged provider of meltspinning equipment to produce precursor materials used in medical devices and the default supplier for absorbable suture production systems, with orders virtually doubling year on year.

Managing director Richard Slack emphasised the long-term planning and execution that has contributed to success in this industry.

“FET has a long tradition in the highly regulated biomedical sector, and we believe our experience is unrivalled. We have built a world leading reputation for melt spinning medical grade polymers in both synthetic resorbable and non-absorbable polymers and FET is now reaping the rewards of this initiative.”

Recent installations include a multi-functional system that can produce both multifilament and monofilament pre-cursor fibres, but nonwoven systems have been particularly prominent, driven by the burgeoning demand for FFP3 masks, gowns and other medical products required during the pandemic. These have been sold to medical device manufacturing companies across the globe, including the Far East, USA, and Europe. Research organisations have also invested in FET systems for biomedical applications, the most recent being the University of Leeds in a laboratory scale Spunbond system.

The FET in-house process development laboratory and ongoing collaboration with biomaterial polymer suppliers has helped to optimise the biomedical melt spinning technology. This laboratory is at the disposal of customers for all aspects of confidential testing and evaluation. FET will be opening a new process development laboratory and visitor centre in early 2022.