EuroWire Sept 2015

News Corporate

Huber snaps up technology

an interest in the Safire technology along with introducing it to those who aren’t as familiar with it,” added Mr Bertram. “Our plan is to develop a full complement of halogen-free products that meet the most demanding fire retardant requirements our customers are facing.” HEM has been a trusted supplier of non-halogen flame retardants and smoke suppressants for more than 30 years. It produces value-added alumina trihydrate (ATH), magnesium hydroxide (MDH) and engineered molybdate-based compounds, and provides technical expertise for a variety of thermoplastic, thermoset plastic and rubber end-use applications, including fibre-reinforced plastics, roofing, silicone rubber, wire and cable, coatings and carpet backing. Satisfaction guaranteed In the first quarter of 2015 Madem Brazil conducted a customer satisfaction survey with 86 wire and cable manufacturing customers in 21 countries. The company received 56 (65%) responses from customers polled in four categories: bad, regular, good and very good. 99.4% of responses fell into good and very good categories. Madem Reels – Brazil Website : www.madem.com.br Huber Engineered Materials – USA Website : www.hubermaterials.com

Huber Engineered Materials (HEM), a division of J M Huber Corporation, has acquired the Safire™ nitrogen and phosphorus halogen-free fire retardant technology from Floridienne Group and Catena Additives (a 100 per cent subsidiary of Floridienne). Huber’s goal is to take the patented Safire™ technology, integrate it within its existing halogen-free portfolio of flame-retardants and smoke suppressants, and rapidly develop a line of commercial products. “The addition of the Safire technology is another exciting step in the on-going growth of Huber’s Fire Retardant Additive business, as we continue to strengthen our array of halogen-free flame retardant offerings,” said Jerry Bertram, vice president and general manager of Huber’s Fire Retardant Additives business unit. “This acquisition gives Huber the opportunity to work in a new category with nitrogen and phosphorus flame retardants, and we believe the synergistic benefits and value between Safire and many of our current products will be advantageous for customers.” The Safire™ technology addition marks the third acquisition over the past five years for Huber’s growing Fire Retardant Additives business, following the 2012 purchase of the speciality hydrate flame retardant business from Almatis and the 2010 acquisition of the Kemgard® flame retardant and smoke suppressant business from Sherwin-Williams.

“We look forward to working with companies who’ve expressed

16

www.read-eurowire.com

September 2015