Solvay is entering into medical devices building on its world-leading portfolio of high-performance polymers with a new dental care business line. “Solvay Dental 360(TM)” spans from an innovative material to replace metal in removable partial denture frames, to enabling a digital workflow that accelerates the work of dental laboratories and dentists.

Removable partial denture (RPD) frames replace missing teeth and are typically made of metal. Under Solvay Dental 360(TM), Solvay’s new high-performance material allows for metal-free, biocompatible, more comfortable, natural-looking RPD frames which are over 60% lighter than a metal frame.

Solvay uses its new Ultaire(TM) AKP (aryl ketone polymer) material to make its Dentivera(TM) milling disc. From this device, trained and qualified dental lab technicians use software tailored to this material to design and mill the RPD frame. This enhances speed and efficiency as fewer manufacturing steps are needed compared to the metal frame.

“Solvay’s entrepreneurial initiative to launch into medical devices is driven by our innovation power as a world leader in metal-replacing materials and their proven track record in healthcare,” said Jean-Pierre Clamadieu, CEO of Solvay.

“Solvay proudly starts off in dental care devices with a unique full-circle offering that increases the comfort of patients and efficiency for dentists and lab technicians,” said Shawn Shorrock, Global Director Solvay Dental 360(TM).

Solvay’s unrivalled portfolio of high-performance polymers cover over 35 brands in more than 1,500 formulations. In healthcare, they are used in orthopedic, cardiovascular, renal and other markets.

The Dentivera(TM) milling disc is approved by the EU and U.S. health regulators.

The launch of Solvay Dental 360(TM) takes place at the 2017 International Dental Show (IDS) in Cologne, Germany.

For more information about Solvay Dental 360(TM), Ultaire(TM) AKP and Dentivera(TM) milling discs, please visit www.solvaydental360.com.