Chemical synergy Two years on from its acquisition by Huntsman Corporation, Italian systems house Huntsman Tecnoelastomeri is going from strength to strength. While retaining its core values, expertise and focus, the business is exploiting the opportunities that arise from being part of a bigger group.
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untsman Tecnoelastomeri is a manufacturer and marketer of polyurethane-based, hot-cast elastomer systems and processing machines. In 2015, the company was acquired by global chemical giant Huntsman, which operates more than 100 manufacturing and R&D facilities in approximately 30 countries and employs around 15,000 associates within five distinct business divisions. Huntsman’s chemical products are sold worldwide to manufacturers serving a broad and diverse range of consumer and industrial end markets.
Two pillars Huntsman Tecnoelastomeri has two key businesses – the company produces high-technology elastomer systems, from which it is possible to create a variety of everyday industrial items such as wheels, rollers, seals and general technical parts, and also a range of CASTECH® machines that can be used to efficiently cast compact polyurethane elastomers and microcellular elastomer foams from all types of isocyanate and chain extender combinations. “Very few companies offer what Huntsman Tecnoelastomeri does,” says Andrea Ghermandi, Tecno Commercial Manager at Huntsman Tecnoelastomeri. “The company is one of the only high-performance elastomer producers that can provide innovative hot-cast materials – including tailor-made formulations – alongside a complete casting
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equipment solution. Customers really appreciate this holistic approach. Conversations typically start with technical discussions to agree specific elastomer material requirements. Then, talk progresses to equipment decisions, plant set-up and manufacturing best practice.” Since the acquisition two years ago, the company has consolidated its position. “Being part of a larger business significantly boosts Huntsman Tecnoelastomeri’s capabilities – enabling it to produce its TECNOTHANE® systems in other parts of the world. There is also the larger Huntsman sales force that can increase awareness of Huntsman Tecnoelastomeri products. Furthermore, being part of a global corporation means greater access to raw materials and better economies of scale and buying power,” confirms Mr Ghermandi.
Full range of solutions Huntsman Tecnoelastomeri is based in Modena, Italy, but since becoming part of Huntsman, its CASTECH® machines have been installed at the corporation’s European polyurethane headquarters in Everberg, Belgium; at its Auburn Hills site in Michigan, USA; and at its Chemistry R&D Centre in Shanghai, China. “This will increase opportunities for customer collaboration on elastomer-based R&D and innovation projects – putting hot-cast R&D and prototyping capabilities exactly where customers need them,” stated Mr Ghermandi.
