Fire breaks out at Sientra manufacturer
Goleta breast implant developer Sientra said there had been a fire at the factory of its manufacturer in Brazil, the company announced on Oct. 23.
Sientra did not say how big the fire was or if it would impact manufacturing at Silimed, the largest producer of silicone implants in South America. The company didn’t specify whether anyone was injured.
According to Brazilian television station Rede Globo, the fire started at about 6 p.m. local time on Oct. 22.
A video from a resident near Silimed’s factory in Rio de Janeiro that was posted on Rede Globo’s website shows thick black clouds of smoke billowing from a fire that engulfed one of the factory’s buildings. Sientra did not confirm whether its products were made in the building impacted by the fire.
“We are aware of a fire in one of the two manufacturing buildings at Silimed, and are in contact with Silimed in order to assess the situation,” the statement reads. “Our thoughts are with the entire Silimed team. Our management team is working diligently to get answers and we will share additional information when it is available.”
Production at Silimed stopped on Sept. 24 after European regulators found implants made at the factory that were contaminated with particles of silica and cotton. Sientra does not know when it will resume.
Sientra voluntarily stopped selling all products in North America on Oct. 9.
The company’s shares have plummeted from $20.58 to $4.47 since the news broke about the contamination.
- Contact Philip Joens at [email protected]
