Evonik opening two research sites to focus on medical devices

Specialty chemical maker Evonik Corp. is expanding its medical devices portfolio with a pair of research facilities slated to open early this month.

The company’s new Medical Devices Project Houses – one located on Evonik’s research campus in Birmingham, Ala., and a branch in Hanau, Germany – will develop biomaterials and polymers for medical technology, focusing on implantables.

“We want to open up new growth opportunities for Evonik on the medical technology market with innovative products,” said Peter Nagler, Evonik’s chief innovation officer, in an April 4 news release. “We are pooling and expanding the interdisciplinary competencies of Evonik in the area of medical technology and biomaterial research.”

The global medical technology market is posting annual growth rates of 6 per cent, the company noted in its news release. “At 40 per cent, the U.S. accounts for a major proportion of this world market and U.S. companies hold leading positions, above all in the area of implantology,” it said.

“Our location in Birmingham places our research at the centre of the highly attractive U.S. market with great proximity to our customers. At the same time, we benefit from the expertise of the health care business line of Evonik, which manages the site in Birmingham,” said Rosario Lizio, who heads the Medical Devices Project House.

Germany-based Evonik has U.S. headquarters in Parsippany, N.J.