July 07, 2007 - JOINT PRESS RELEASE at the occasion of MICCOS
EcoGlove and Fox Glove Solutions Sabah are pleased to announce a successful mission of commissioning the first Glove Reprocessing Unit, GRU, at the Malaysian Rubber Board (MRB) research facility. In the past weeks, the GRU, prototyped by Pentamaster, has been used to test and validate the first high quality low protein (LOPROL) reusable natural rubber latex (NRL) glove specially formulated by MRB.
EcoGlove and Fox Glove Solutions Sabah, FGSS, which will be responsible for the commercialization of the MRB formulated glove, are proud to report that the glove fully meets all expectations and is being verified by the internationally recognized laboratories SGS as qualifying, and even exceeding, the standards necessary to make the glove available to EcoGlove customers on a commercial basis.
Patrick Hampe, Chairman of EcoGlove, stated, "This was an important milestone. The enthusiasm and support of the MRB for our process has been outstanding and we all cannot thank them enough. At the same time, the EcoGlove process will have a profound effect on Malaysia's glove industry in the coming years and we look forward to making our contribution in terms both of marketing concepts and the unique technologies we have developed."
Pentamaster, the Penang-based provider of the GRU, is now concentrating on bringing the GRU to serial production standards and the first two field machines are expected to be delivered in September for pilot projects at hospitals in the USA and Belgium. The first batches of the special LOPROL NRL gloves, to be manufactured under FGSS licence, will be delivered to the USA and the EU at the same time.
FGSS is in discussion with several Malaysian gloves manufacturers on commercial production. “We are sure that the gloves produced in Malaysia will be of top quality”, said Tham Nyip Shen, FGSS Chairman. “and the high quality samples already produced are dispelling any remaining doubts as to their attractiveness and viability.”
The GRU may become the world’s first “Class-2” Medical Glove Reprocessing and Testing Machine designed for automatic cleaning, testing, glove-inspection via computer vision, 2-D barcode matrix decoding and inline sterilization. These processes will be FDA certified. The R&D and manufacturing of the machine is made possible through the joint effort of Ecoglove's patented process, technology, know-how and Pentamaster's expertise in equipment automation technology and construction.
Both EcoGlove and FGSS are indebted to the Malaysian Minister Datuk Peter Chin for his strong leadership and support. EcoGlove is also indebted to the Chief Minister of Penang for introducing Pentamaster Berhad to construct the GRU. “This has made this very much a Malaysian affair!” said Tham, who is a former Deputy Chief Minister and Minister of Industrial Development from Sabah.
A number of other exciting initiatives are in hand and the company expects to make announcements on these in the coming weeks.
- Ecoglove Limited (www.ecoglove.com) is a developer and supplier of systems for reconditioning, tracking and testing reusable gloves, previously designated as disposable after single use, thereby allowing them to be used multiple times. In the process they provide the glove user with the highest quality glove for less cost and while completely eliminating conventional waste disposable.
- Fox Glove Solution Sabah has the exclusive rights to supply natural rubber gloves for the EcoGlove reconditioning process. It subcontracts Malaysian glove manufacturers to supply such gloves under joint licensing arrangements between it and Ecoglove.
- Pentamaster Corporation Berhad, (www.pentamaster.com.my) Penang, Malaysia is an integrated consulting and automation engineering technology solutions provider. Its vision is to provide world-class automation solutions to companies in the manufacturing, electrical and electronic industries worldwide. Pentamaster is dedicated in delivering high quality and cost effective products with value-added services to meet customer satisfaction.