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RCSI and Wellman will develop a novel bedding material to prevent pressure ulcers by controlling moisture levels on the skin’s surface and evenly redistributing pressure whilst an individual is seated or lying in bed.

Pressure ulcers, also known as bedsores, are common devastating wounds, extending from deep in the bone and muscle layers through to the skin, occurring most often in older persons with limited mobility. They are smelly, highly painful and very prone to infection, and in some cases, pressure ulcer complications can result in death. Pressure ulcers are often a trigger for admission into hospital or long stay facilities. Recent estimates suggest that the management of wounds, including pressure ulcers, creates a significant financial burden, equating to 6 per cent of the total Irish public health expenditure.

Pressure ulcers are caused by prolonged unrelieved pressure, shear and friction forces. Excessive moisture on the skin surface contributes to an increase of pressure ulceration because the skin is weakened in the presence of moisture.

The research partnership announced today brings together the clinical research and patient care expertise of RCSI and specialised materials development experience of Wellman to generate new knowledge which will lead to the development of a mattress topper, made a highly specialised polyester fibre ‘PU-Pro’ with proven Moisture Vapour Transmission (MVT) functionality. The aim of the research collaboration is to demonstrate the ability of the new product’s surface to control the microclimate at the skin/surface interface and to facilitate pressure redistribution. The evaluation results of the mattress properties will lead to a further redesign and enhancement of the product prior to market launch.

Wellman, located in Co Meath, is the largest European producer of polyester staple fibre, exporting predominantly to mainland Europe. Traditionally a domestic bedding and home furnishing manufacturer, Wellman have commissioned a strategic R&D programme to deliver Higher Valued Added products to the market, including the specialist material that is being developed in conjunction with RCSI.

The research team at RCSI is led by Professor Zena Moore, Head of the RCSI School of Nursing and Midwifery and Dr Declan Patton, Director of Nursing & Midwifery Research. “At RCSI, we focus on harnessing the expertise of industry, academia and the clinical community to improve healthcare outcomes for patients in Ireland and beyond. Through this collaboration, we hope to prevent pressure ulcers, which represent one of the toughest medical challenges and public health issues in Ireland and worldwide,” said Professor Moore.

“Preventing the development of pressure ulcers will improve the quality of life for older people and will enable the individual remain in their own home for longer, thereby enhancing their independence, contribution and longevity within the community setting,” Professor Moore concluded.

Donal Breen, CEO Wellman International said: “We are very excited about the opportunity to collaborate with RCSI on a project to address a long-standing medical challenge. We feel confident that we will develop a novel solution utilising the unique fibre technology of Wellman and the clinical reach and research expertise of RCSI”

Director of Research and Innovation at RCSI, Professor Ray Stallings, welcomed the announcement saying: “RCSI is delighted to announce this collaboration between Professor Zena Moore’s team and Wellman International. RCSI is committed to working with Irish based companies to improve human health and this partnership with Wellman International reinforces our focus on translating research for the benefit of patients and healthcare systems.”

Standard pressure redistribution surfaces currently used within health care in Ireland today include Visco-elastic and polyurethane foams as their main components. Disadvantages to these surfaces include heat retention and after repeatedly stretching; foam cell structures will break changing the behaviour of the foam product. This new 100% PU-Pro material being developed by Wellman and RCSI will avoid these disadvantages.

RCSI is ranked among the top 250 (top 2%) of universities worldwide in the Times Higher Education World University Rankings (2018). It is an international not-for-profit health sciences institution, with its headquarters in Dublin, focused on education and research to drive improvements in human health worldwide. RCSI is a signatory of the Athena SWAN Charter.

Wellman International is one of the largest manufacturing companies in the North East of Ireland, employing circa 265 people. With a capacity of 88,000 tonnes, Wellman is the largest European producer of polyester staple fibre, exporting predominantly to mainland Europe, with the Irish market representing approximately 3% of sales. The markets traditionally served by Wellman were domestic bedding and home furnishings, which have become increasingly commoditised in recent years due to competition from the Far East. To address this challenge, Wellman have commissioned a strategic R&D programme to deliver HVA (Higher Valued Added) products to the market.

Notes to editor
Professor Zena Moore is available for interview
Photographs will be issued to picturedesks by Julien Behal and are available on request

For further information please contact:
Jane Butler
Senior Communications Officer
RCSI
01 402 8610 / 087 7531877
janebutler@rcsi.ie

Louise Loughran
Associate Director of Communications and Events
RCSI
01 402 2242

Indorama Ventures Public Company Limited (IVL) received the Distinction for its excellent sustainability performance and has been recognized as one of the top-scoring companies in the Chemical Industry globally. The Company has also been included in the 2017 edition of Robecos Sustainability Yearbook, the worlds most comprehensive publication on corporate sustainability. This global recognition reaffirms IVLs long term commitment to sustainability and demonstrates excellent performance in the area of economic, environmental, social and corporate governance.

Each year, more than 3,000 of the worlds largest companies are invited to participate in RobecoSAMs Corporate Sustainability Assessment (CSA).

Inclusion in the Yearbook is limited to companies within the top 15% of their industry and must achieve a score which is within 30% of the best-performing companies in its industry. For more information on the RobecoSAMs Sustainability Yearbook: https://yearbook.robecosam.com.

In addition, Indorama Ventures has been independently assessed according to the FTSE Russell criteria and become a constituent of the FTSE4Good Emerging Index, an extension of the FTSE4Good Index Series. The FTSE4Good Index Series is designed to measure the performance of companies that demonstrate strong Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) practices.

The Index covers over 20 emerging countries globally. Of the eligible universe, Indorama Ventures stood out as a leading Thai Company with an ESG Rating of 3.9. These recognitions reflect the effort and passion all of our people have put into making our Company as a company with a truly sustainable future, said Mr. Aloke Lohia, Group CEO of Indorama Ventures. Being recognized by global institutions gives us the confidence that we are rightfully investing in to the future and are truly comparable with the best in class companies globally, Mr. Lohia concluded.

Wellman at its base in Mullagh, Cavan Ireland currently employs approximately 260 employees on a permanent basis, across a multitude of functions relating to fibre production and auxiliary support services. Wellman has been very fortunate in its lifetime at retaining skilled employees. However, as a natural consequence of the company being in existence for over four decades, there has been a steady flow of retirements over recent years with a further number imminent, which presents both a challenge and an opportunity for the company.

Wellman prides itself on the loyalty and dedication displayed by employees over the years in terms of the roles undertaken and skillset which has been established, and so wishes to balance the valuable expertise of our existing workforce and optimise the energy, knowledge and best practice which new employees bring to the organisation.

To meet this challenge the company recently, created a new position, which has been taken over by a longstanding member of the HR team, Tanya Clarke , who manages Strategic Workforce Planning and Development. Tanya has a team of job trainers who work with her to support all employees, both established and new, through new learning practices. As part of ongoing development and the Wellman culture of personal development, every Wellman employee is encouraged to avail of opportunities to upskill and self improve.

An important element of the new training programme being offered, is the versatility training programme, which extends the experience and knowledge of individuals across the organisation, adding value to individuals in terms of their skill set while also having a value for the organisation should a vacancy arrive .

The company has also in recent years, embraced the Lean Six Sigma culture, with training underway across the company. This programme is headed up by Isabel Camacho with the support of Tanya, Isabel Camacho, who is a Six Sigma Black Belt and is an invaluable support to those within the organisation who are at varying stages of the process. This is in line with the company’s definitive approach towards achieving the highest possible standards in respect of quality and customer/market support.