Huntsman to install hot-cast elastomer machines at regional tech centres

Global chemical company Huntsman revealed plans to install a Castech hot-cast elastomer processing machine at three of its regional technical centres, namely, its European polyurethane headquarters in Everberg, Belgium; its Auburn Hills site in Michigan, US; and its Chemistry R&D Centre in Shanghai, China, in order to increase opportunities for customer collaboration on elastomer-based research and development (R&D) projects.

Huntsman Tecnoelastomeri, the Italian systems house that was acquired by Huntsman in 2015, produces Castech machines – an advanced equipment solution for the efficient processing of hot-cast polyurethane elastomers and microcellular elastomer foams.

Details of the strategic investment were revealed at K2016 (Stand A05 in Hall 5 ) in Düsseldorf, Germany, where the Huntsman Tecnoelastomeri team is promoting its equipment portfolio alongside its proprietary range of Tecnothane engineering elastomers.

Dr Riccardo Cira, Commercial and Marketing Manager at Huntsman, said: “Installing three Castech machines at strategic locations in our global R&D network is an important step forward in the globalisation of the Huntsman Tecnoelastomeri business. When we acquired the system house it already had a very successful business model in place – focused predominantly on the European market for hot-cast elastomers. With the team now embedded into Huntsman, our objective is to replicate their commercial achievements in other parts of the world. By installing a Castech machine in each region, we are putting our R&D and prototyping capabilities exactly where our customers need them, increasing opportunities for engagement on innovation projects. We are also developing the team’s global production and supply chain capabilities.”

Hot-cast elastomers are widely used in industrial applications. Providing good chemical resistance and mechanical, dynamical performance, they are typically employed in the manufacture of wheels, seals, technical parts, rolls; mining, oil and gas equipment; and bumpers and rail pads.

Earlier this year Huntsman Tecnoelastomeri announced it was working with Raeder Vogel, one of the world's largest producers of industrial wheels and castors. With help from Huntsman Tecnoelastomeri, Raeder Vogel has expanded its product portfolio to include a family of extra-large custom-made wheels with a diameter in excess of one meter.