With several decades of experience in the field of controlled pressure, COMEX leverages its expertise in the design, study, and manufacture of hyperbaric oxygen therapy centers, emergency decompression chambers, and industrial controlled pressure machines. The company ensures the commissioning and maintenance of these equipments as well as the modernization of installations. Their Hyper and Hypobaric Test Center, with a variety of test facilities and unique test pools in Europe, offers a wide range of services to our clients.
Interview with Iryna ROMASHYNA, Business Developer at COMEX.
E.E: What are the main areas of activity of the company?
Iryna ROMASHYNA: Since its inception, COMEX has been operating in the industrial diving sector by offering various hyperbaric modules essential for the execution and securing of specific interventions on dams, offshore oil platforms, floating wind stations, and tunnel construction sites to secure dry diving operations. Therefore, we are fully present with our safety chambers in the energy and construction sectors.
These same emergency recompression modules have been redesigned to meet the very high specific requirements of the French Navy. Thus, the latest generation of fully automated mobile chambers, fully equipped with hyperbaric medical devices, have been developed. These products now allow us to position ourselves strongly in the Defense sector in France and to win projects abroad. Additionally, COMEX’s deep expertise and significant innovation capabilities extend to the medical sector. For decades, we have been manufacturing substantial hyperbaric systems used for oxygen therapy in the treatment of diving accidents and specific pathologies.
Finally, COMEX’s specific expertise in pressure control finds its application in numerous industries through the manufacture of special controlled pressure machines. Our test benches, cycling chambers, aging or bursting chambers, and vacuum chambers open the way for us in the fields of research, automotive construction, watchmaking, and many other areas.
E.E: What is the latest news about new products/services?
I.R: The production of the series of chambers for the French Navy is in full swing in COMEX’s workshops. We are committed to delivering two chambers per year over the next four years to the French Army via Chantier Naval MERRE, which won the contract for the construction of new diving support boats.
At the same time, the hospital chamber project for the Mayotte Hospital Center is starting in our design office. The launch of the first cubic-shaped chamber is a major event for COMEX, as it represents a considerable technical challenge and the culmination of a significant commercial effort. Indeed, we won this project following the award of the contract, through the tendering process, by UNIHA, the central purchasing agency for French hospital establishments.
We also have news on the special machine side, as we recently delivered our first pressure test machine for composite tanks. Fully automated, handling tanks of different sizes, offering a large number of various measurements, while allowing for very high cadences, this machine represents an important achievement and a great success for each of our departments, from the design office to the manufacturing workshop.
E.E: What are the ranges of products/services?
I.R: The main products of COMEX are:
- Hyperbaric oxygen therapy chambers – stationary units intended for public and private healthcare facilities,
- Emergency decompression chambers – mobile containerized units or directly integrable on-site/ship/truck,
- Pressure test machines intended for various industries to address testing and qualification issues of different equipment designed to operate in a pressurized environment.
The main services of COMEX are:
- Hyperbaric and hypobaric testing services through our numerous and varied testing facilities offering a wide range of services to our clients.
- Maintenance services for hyperbaric installations, both civil and military, ensuring the operational condition of pressurized equipment with 100% availability of serviced equipment.
E.E: What is the state of the market in which you are currently active?
I.R: The hyperbaric chamber market is booming, driven by increasing recognition of the benefits of hyperbaric oxygen therapy and the rise in professional diving activities. Additionally, the demand for high-pressure research solutions is also stimulating market growth.
E.E: What can you tell us about market trends?
I.R: Current market trends include:
- Increased medical demand: Growth in the use of hyperbaric chambers to treat medical conditions such as sports injuries, infections, and strokes.
- Advanced technologies: Integration of automation and remote monitoring to improve the safety and efficiency of hyperbaric treatments.
- Emerging market: Expansion into new geographical markets with increased demand for controlled pressure technologies, particularly driven by the hydrogen sector.
E.E: What are the most innovative products/services commercialized?
I.R: Among COMEX’s most innovative products are:
- Hyperbaric Chamber CxCub2 – a cubic hyperbaric oxygen therapy unit offering maximum comfort to patients and healthcare personnel in hospital settings.
- Mobile Hyperbaric Chamber Cx1800 – fully automated and completely autonomous, integrating all necessary ancillary equipment for its own operation and the optimized care of severely affected patients.
In addition to hyperbaric chambers, COMEX is engaged in the manufacture of certain certified hyperbaric medical devices. Our latest innovation, the hyperbaric syringe pump, represents a unique equipment in France, whose research and development were entirely managed by COMEX’s design office.
E.E: What are your estimates for 2024?
I.R: For 2024, COMEX forecasts:
- Revenue growth: Due to increased demand in the medical and industrial sectors.
- Geographic expansion: Penetration into new markets in Europe.
- Continuous innovation: Investment in R&D to develop new products and improve existing technologies.
- Strategic partnerships: Collaboration with medical institutions and diving companies to expand the range of services and products.
