The NHS has done an extraordinary job fighting Covid-19. Doctors, nurses and other care staff put themselves at tremendous risk to treat the sick and save lives. They are an example to us all.
Behind the scenes, the silicone rubber industry made a small but important contribution to the battle against the spread of the virus by designing, manufacturing and delivering silicone components for the medical industry for personal protective equipment and related products.
In line with an industry-wide trend, Advanced Materials saw an influx of enquiries about the use of silicone materials in medical products, including personal protective equipment. Why? Because silicone rubber is well suited to medical industry applications.
Why silicone parts are well suited to medical industry applications
Silicone rubber is highly adaptable, meaning that it can be used for a wide range of applications, and it can withstand high temperatures, which means that it can be put through an autoclave and sterilised. It is also highly durable and can easily be cleaned.
These properties, among others, make silicone rubber an ideal material for use in the manufacture of products that need to protect users against contamination. For example, silicone rubber components are being used in applications that hold medical visors to faces and seal off machine parts to protect against the transmission of Covid-19.
Naturally, medical product manufacturers have to adhere to stringent regulations and specifications. Platinum-cured silicone rubber components that meet strict national regulations, such as FDA and USP Class IV standards, help ensure that manufacturers meet these stipulations.
How we deliver essential services and protect staff
While Advanced Materials worked hard to deliver essential silicone manufacturing services to its customers, including those in the medical industry, we were equally as focused on keeping our team safe and well.
Where possible, staff members worked at home and, to protect employees who came into work, we operated a shift system to reduce the number of people in buildings at any one time. We also ensured that, when employees were on-site, they worked at least two meters apart.
In addition, we regularly cleaned all surfaces and risk areas with anti-bacterial solutions and had anti-bacterial wash stations for staff. Needless to say, all non-essential travel was stopped.
It was inspiring to see our team going the extra mile to ensure that customers received their silicone component orders. They worked hard to provide design, prototype, full manufacturing and delivery services, and ensure that orders of all sizes were turned around quickly.
Providing silicone rubber components that are helping to save lives
The healthcare and medical sectors play a vital role in society, never more so than now, as experts work hard to develop vaccines and tests, manufacturers focus on the production of personal protective equipment, and NHS staff work bravely to care for the sick.
The silicone industry is playing its part and we are incredibly proud to be able to say that we are doing our bit, small as it is, by providing silicone parts for medical products that are helping to protect NHS and other care workers.
To find out more about Advanced Materials’ silicone rubber manufacturing services, contact us on +44 (0)1903 713566 or sales@amsilicones.co.uk.