Bluestar, Graham in silicone technology-share deal

York, South Carolina – Graham Engineering Corp. is to lend equipment and provide expertise for a new silicone extrusion line being created at Bluestar Silicones’ technical centre in York, the companies announced 21 Sept.

The collaborative deal will include the supply of an advanced American Kuhne 1.5” Ultra RS silicone lab extruder to the site, said a Bluestar press release.

The Bluestar technical centre also serves as a global ‘centre of excellence’ for healthcare, medical and long-term implant-grade silicones.

Bluestar expects the collaboration to help it raise its heat-cured rubber product processing performance and “enhance its technical service and training for medical and pharmaceutical tubing customers,” said Bob Waitt, the company’s marketing manager, US medical market.

“We believe this is a unique opportunity to ally with Bluestar Silicones and that it will cultivate learning to benefit not only both organizations and their customers, but also the industry,” added Steve Maxson, Graham Engineering’s business development director, extrusion.