SSL completes sale of medical division with Silipos divestment

By Liz White, ERJ staff

London- SSL International plc is to sell its Silipos business, which marks the final phase of the UK group's disposal of its medical division.

The group has exchanged conditional contracts to sell the Silipos unit for $15.5 million (Euro 12.6 million) to US-based Langer Inc. by the end of September.

Silipos makes gel-based products for prosthetic, orthopedic and skincare applications. The unit had sales in the year to 31 March 2004 of £12 million (Euro 17.6 million) and operating profit (EBIT) of £0.6 million.

In June, SSL sold its Regent medical glove business and Hibi antiseptic products unit to Apax Partners, for Euro 244 million. Earlier in the year, the group sold its woundcare business to Medlock Medical, a new entity also funded by Apax Partners, for Euro 82 million.

SSL International will now focus on its consumer businesses, consisting largely of the Durex condom manufacturing and marketing operation and the Scholl footcare division.