Integrated Micro-Compounder with Tow Impregnation Die

The University of Edinburgh is awarding a contract to Xplore Instruments BV for the supply, installation and ongoing servicing of a specialised polymer micro-compounder system and auxiliary equipment with two impregnation die. Through comprehensive market research, Xplore Instruments BV were identified as the only supplier capable of meeting the requirements.

Xplore Instruments were the only identified supplier capable of meeting the full technical specification required for the research programme. A key requirement is the availability of a specialised tow-to-tape impregnation die that can operate in-line with the polymer micro-compounder, enabling true fibre tow impregnation where molten polymer penetrates individual fibre filaments.

Alternative suppliers contacted during market research, such as ThermoFisher and Nativa Sciences were contacted directly and were unable to provide this functionality, offering only coating dies that apply polymer to the surface of fibres rather than achieving full impregnation or systems of multiple pieces of equipment that had to be used rather than a single equipment and process Xplore’s solution provided. A voluntary ex ante transparency (VEAT) notice was published on Public Contracts Scotland to notify the market of the University’s intent to award a contract to Xplore Instruments BV.

No challenge was received during the standstill period. As a result, no further information was received that other suppliers are able to provide an integrated system that meets the University’s functional and research requirements and reducing the risk of the contract being put aside by a market challenge.