Rosti Medical launched

Rosti Technical Plastics, part of the AP Moller-Maersk Group, has launched Rosti Medical Plastics as a new strategic business unit within the group.

Tez Kurwie, chief operating officer (COO) Rosti TP Continental Europe, described the company's rationale for the venture: 'Our decision to create a specialist operation for the medical market is founded on many years' experience as a supplier to leading client companies in this sector worldwide. This is an exciting time for us all at Rosti.

'The global nature of Rosti means that we have the resources and logistics to fully support our clients in new product development, while at the same time having the project management capability to effect a seamless transfer of technology into r&d-focused projects. Our aim is to strengthen and consolidate our presence still further in this market. We are totally committed to providing a dedicated resource, focused solely on working in partnership to make full use of the unique blend of skills we offer for companies delivering high-quality plastic products into the drug delivery and diagnostics markets.'

In the medical market specifically, Rosti has pharmaceutical and diagnostics company Roche as a long-standing client, whose production of a unique component for the 'Accu-chek' Compact System, part of a range of glucose monitoring self-care products for diabetics, is entirely undertaken by Rosti at the Tilburg Plant

Paul van Kampen, managing director of the plant, explains: 'The work we do for Roche is an excellent example of working in partnership to deliver a total solution.

'Our involvement has been from initial product design, to the design and development of specialist plant and tools to deliver the final product - including 120 different quality checks and vacuum sealed packaging for shipment, where every batch is coded and fully traceable.'

Rosti currently produces 1.4m Roche units per week. Capacity is to be doubled later this year to accommodate a 70% increase in production.

Van Kampen continues: 'We have invested substantially in our partnership with Roche, to develop a unique, fully comprehensive production facility geared specifically to meet Roche's requirements for this product. The service we provide incorporates project management and full back-up facilities - and we are very pleased to be doubling capacity with an additional five machines, to meet increased demand later this year.'

Dr Rainer Kolb, senior vice president operations, diabetes care for Roche diagnostics, is highly supportive of the relationship with Rosti. He says: 'Rosti is a proven solutions provider for us - and we look forward to a long and mutually rewarding relationship.'