Solvay unveils Zeniva ZA-600 CF30 PEEK, a high-strength, injection moldable polymer for implantable devices

Solvay, a leading global supplier of specialty polymers, announced new
Zeniva ZA-600 CF30 polyetheretherketone (PEEK), a 30 percent carbon fiber-reinforced, radiolucent polymer
offered for implantable device applications. The latest addition to Solvay’s growing portfolio of Healthcare
solutions, Zeniva ZA-600 CF30 PEEK offers modulus very similar to cortical bone. That means, unlike
implantable metals, it can help implants minimize reduction in bone density by maintaining normal stress on
surrounding bone tissue.
Zeniva ZA-600 CF30 PEEK offers strength twice that of unmodified PEEK, making it an excellent candidate for
structural, load-bearing, implantable devices used in spine, hip and knee replacements. This quality allows
designers to reduce the size and scale of their implanted devices to make them less intrusive. Like unmodified
PEEK, Zeniva ZA-600 CF30 polymer also offers exceptional creep resistance and the ability to withstand
prolonged fatigue strain.
Solvay’s new specialty polymer also shares unmodified PEEK’s inherent radiolucency, giving it an advantage
over metallic solutions that prohibit visualization of implants and fusions using x-ray, CT scan, MRI and other
medical imaging methods.
“Zeniva ZA-600 PEEK CF30 offers the orthopedic industry an innovative new structural material with the
potential to dramatically reduce the manufacturing costs of implantable devices used for sports medicine,
trauma and joint reconstruction,” said Jeff Hrivnak, business manager for Healthcare at Solvay’s Specialty
Polymers global business unit. “Optimized for injection molding, this material opens the door to cost-effective,
large-scale production of implants, offering OEMs the economic advantage they need to compete and succeed in
this fast-growing market.”
Zeniva ZA-600 CF30 PEEK is manufactured in a dedicated ISO 13485- and cGMP-compliant facility in the U.S.
and is tested in ISO 17025 labs. It is part of Solvay’s Solviva family of biomaterials, which offer a broad and
growing range of options for implantable devices used in orthopedics, cardiovascular, spine and otherapplications. As with all Solviva Biomaterials, production of Zeniva PEEK polymer is carefully validated and
enhanced controls provide product traceability. Detailed FDA Master Access Files (MAF) are available for the
new material, along with additional regulatory support to help streamline customers’ time-to-market.
In addition to Zeniva PEEK, Solvay’s Solviva portfolio includes Veriva polyphenylsulfone and Eviva
polysulfone. All Solviva Biomaterials can be sterilized using conventional methods, such as gamma radiation,
ethylene oxide and steam. They demonstrate no evidence of cytotoxicity, sensitization, intracutaneous
reactivity or acute systemic toxicity, based on biocompatibility testing as defined. These
sterilizable products are available in grades for injection molding or extrusion, as well as stock shapes for
machined components.