| (Montreal,
Quebec) - Raymor Industries is proud to announce that
its wholly-owned industrial subsidiary, AP&C Advanced
Powders & Coatings Inc. (AP&C) has concluded
a contract for Titanium powder production with STRYKER
Corporation (NYSE: SYK). STRYKER will use this unique
powder, given its sphericity and its purity, to create
lasting biocompatible coatings for its new generation
of innovative orthopedic implants.The ultra-spherical
titanium powder allows STRYKER to produce high quality
orthopedic implants. Before
issuing a purchase order to AP&C, Stryker conducted
a worldwide search to find a powder which would provide
optimal longevity and biocompatibility for its orthopedic
implants.
Thanks to AP&C’s patented plasma atomization process,
biomedical powders are of a high purity, with an exceptional
sphericity. The spherical nature of the powder provides
an evenly-distributed coating for artificial joints,
thus allowing for the optimization of the coating
porosity, which facilitates tissue growth.
“The STRYKER contract represents for
AP&C a breakthrough in the biomedical sector with
a large US company. STRYKER is one of the three global
leaders in human orthopedic implants, and we are pleased
to have been selected by them,” said Mr. Stéphane
Robert, President of Raymor Industries
.
“STRYKER received FDA (US Food & Drug Administration)
approval for these innovative orthopaedic implants
using AP&C powder, enabling us to begin a long-term
business relationship,” adds Mr. Robert.
According to Dr. Michel Drouet, Chief
Scientist with AP&C, “At the beginning of the
90’s, I began
development work on this plasma atomization process,
which is unique in the world, at Hydro-Québec’s
Shawinigan laboratories, in collaboration with Noranda.
Thanks to AP&C, I am extremely happy to see all
this research effort leading to commercialization
in the orthopedic implant sector with a client as
prestigious as STRYKER.”
“With this Titanium powder, other
applications will be commercialized, including the
metal injection molding of components for the aerospace
sector. With our Plasma Atomization Process, we can
in fact consider taking a foot-hold in other promising
markets with other types of nano-sized and micron-sized
metallic powders,” adds Dr. Drouet.
With other negotiations underway,
AP&C foresees the installation of a second reactor
in its facility, which could hold up to six units.
The forecasted revenue from powder sales is in the
order of $3.5 million per year, per reactor.
The world market for orthopedic implants
was more than US$6.4 billion in 2002. Analysts from
the renowned Freedonia Group predict markets of US$8.7
billion in 2007 and US$11.6 billion in 2012. The overall
growth rate for this sector will be 6.2%. However,
Freedonia Group and Frost & Sullivan both agree
that this growth rate can increase significantly (up
to 15% per year), given the potential removal of certain
anti-inflammatory and pain medications from the market
place by the FDA. As well, an aging population will
likely have an impact on the orthopedic implant market
growth rate.
RAYMOR INDUSTRIES INC. (TSX-V:RAR)
has for mission to be the largest Canadian developer
of high technology and a producer/recycler of advanced
materials and nanomaterials for high value-added applications.
In November 2004, Raymor Industries created a wholly-owned,
industrial subsidiary, AP&C Advanced Powders and
Coatings, specializing in nanotechnology and advanced
materials, and comprising four operational divisions:
(1) metal and ceramic coatings, which largely targets
aerospace, military, and mining applications; (2)
spherical metallic powders, primarily used for biomedical
and aerospace applications; (3) nanotechnology products,
including nano-powders, nano-coatings, and carbon
nanotubes for “the applications of tomorrow”; and
(4) net-shape forming, a component manufacturing technique
used for ballistic protection and other aerospace
and military applications.
Raymor holds the exclusive rights
to 20 patents throughout the world.
ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Stéphane Robert, President.
FOR MORE INFORMATION, PLEASE CONTACT:
Raymond Fournel – Investor Relations
Tel: 514-932-3485 (NEW)
Fax: 514-932-3644 (NEW)
E-mail: investor@raymor.com
OR VISIT OUR NEW WEB SITE: www.raymor.com
FOR MORE INFORMATION ON NANOTECHNOLOGY
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