Argotec, a Mativ brand, has completed a significant expansion of its manufacturing capabilities in Europe to strengthen the company’s position in the engineered polymer film market. The expansion focuses specifically on thin gauge films for medical applications, addressing growing demand across European markets while enhancing global supply chain resilience.
The facility includes an ISO-8 certified cleanroom spanning 4,445 square feet. The facility has been engineered to meet stringent quality, sterility, and precision requirements for thin gauge films used in advanced wound care, ostomy products, and medical device packaging applications.
“This expansion represents a strategic enhancement of Argotec’s European production capacity for highly specialized medical-grade films,” said Jon Burgoon, Director of Advanced Medical Films. “The investment addresses increasing market demand for localized supply chains while maintaining the exacting standards required for medical applications.”
Thin-gauge films are manufactured for a wide variety of medical applications.
The expanded facility incorporates several advanced manufacturing technologies specifically calibrated for thin gauge medical film production:
- Extrusion systems capable of micron-level precision for enhanced product customization
- Embossing technology enabling sophisticated surface texturing and expanded film application potential
- Clean chemistry systems that minimize additive requirements while maintaining compliance with European and international medical material regulations
The Gilberdyke operation maintains ISO 9001:2015 certification and recently achieved a significant milestone of five consecutive years without a Lost Time Accident, demonstrating operational excellence in polymer processing safety.
The expanded capabilities enable Argotec to produce highly specialized thin gauge films with precisely controlled characteristics including:
- Barrier properties optimized for sterile medical applications
- Controlled moisture vapor transmission rates for advanced wound care
- Customizable surface textures and release properties
- Film gauges ranging from ultra-thin to standard medical thicknesses
- Enhanced optical clarity for medical device observation windows
“Medical device and advanced wound care manufacturers increasingly require materials that combine multiple performance characteristics while maintaining absolute consistency,” noted Burgoon. “The expanded Gilberdyke facility’s precision extrusion capabilities allow for unprecedented control over these critical parameters.”
Developing films free of PFAS and other substances of concern, Argotec aligns material manufacturing with both evolving European regulatory requirements for medical materials and individual manufacturers’ objectives.
The UK facility’s expansion strengthens Argotec’s European manufacturing presence, complementing the company’s existing global production network. This strategic positioning enables rapid response to European customer requirements while providing enhanced supply chain security through regional manufacturing redundancy.
The Gilberdyke facility offers customizable production configurations for film dimensions, surface characteristics, and physical properties, enabling flexible manufacturing in response to shifting market requirements.
As part of Mativ Holdings, Argotec’s expanded capabilities complement those of sister company Delstar, which specializes in advanced polymer extrusions for wound care materials. The combined technical expertise enables comprehensive material solutions spanning films, nets, and complex absorbent structures for medical applications.
“The integration of Argotec’s thin gauge film expertise with Delstar’s advanced extrusion capabilities creates significant technical synergies,” explained Burgoon. “European medical manufacturers can now access a comprehensive portfolio of advanced polymer solutions from a single supplier group with localized production capacity.”
The expansion represents a significant advancement in European medical-grade film production capabilities, establishing new benchmarks in quality, sustainability, and technical performance. The investment positions Argotec as a key supplier in the evolving European medical device and wound care sectors. For more information, visit argotec.com.