Clydebank polymer firm backing University of Glasgow Covid-19 research

A Clydebank-based polymer supplier is acknowledging the Covid-19 research work being done at the University of Glasgow by making a donation for every medical-related order it receives in May and June.

MD Fergus Hardie (centre) says the team has gone 'above and beyond'. Picture: BK Photography.

Since the start of the pandemic, family-owned Hardie Polymers has seen a sharp spike in orders for engineering polymers used to make medical parts, and wanted to show its support for those engaged in vital research work.

The polymers sold by the firm have been for making component parts for respirators, ventilators, Covid test kits, oxygenators and face shields – and medical related sales are up by more than 30 per cent. End users include the NHS, Remote Diagnostic Technologies (part of Phillips), BPR Medical and 3M.

The firm was set up in 1924 and is an independent thermoplastic distributor of engineering and high-performance polymers to the injection moulding sector.

Hardie leads the family-owned firm. Picture: contributed.

MD Fergus Hardie said: “For more than 500 years, Glasgow has been at the front of medical advancement. The Medical Research Council - University of Glasgow Centre for Virus Research (CVR) - is today home to the largest group of virologists in the UK and it is playing a leading role in the research response to Covid-19.

“We have been inundated with requests for engineering polymers for medical parts since the outbreak began and our team have gone above and beyond to get these materials to all the UK injection moulding companies out there who are supporting this great national manufacturing effort.

“With alumni from the University of Glasgow amongst our sales team and also a supply relationship with the university, we want to make a contribution to their excellent work to help defeat this virus, and we decided to make a donation for every polymer order we receive in May and June for medical applications.”

The firm also supplies manufacturers in aerospace, automotive (with its offering used by, say, Jaguar, Land Rover, and Nissan) , defence, electronics and trade moulding.

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