Michelman receives grant for R&D facility
The Michelman Advanced Materials Collaboration Center will be built in Ohio and is planned to open by spring next year.
The centre will also look at water based surface modifiers, additives and polymers for fiberglass and composite materials, wood and floor care, industrial coatings, inks, and construction products.
The firm added it would result in an expansion of the current workforce by 20% and construction of the site would open up other related jobs.
Laboratory to marketplace
Dr. Rick Michelman, vice president and chief technology officer at Michelman, said: “The Ohio Third Frontier’s stated strategic intent is to create an innovation ecosystem that supports the efficient and seamless transition of great ideas from the laboratory to the marketplace.
“The addition of this new R&D center, as well as the collaborative approach we take within our R&D department will position us to develop effective solutions that help our customers win well into the future.”
The $2.3bn Ohio Third Frontier initiative runs until 2015 and is aimed at creating technology-based products, companies, industries and jobs.
Michelman added customers had come to expect “great ideas” from the company.
Customer collaboration
“It will be physically and conceptually designed so we can collaborate even more closely than we do now, with customers and suppliers, related industry R&D organizations and companies, as well as local colleges, to develop and commercialize technologies across all of our core product lines.
“Customers across all industry segments are demanding rapid development of innovative, sustainably sourced, environmentally friendly coating and additive solutions.
“We believe that by taking an open exchange of ideas approach within our R&D department, our customers and the environment will be the ultimate beneficiaries.”
The firm has also expanded its fibers and composites global business unit, which manufactures polymeric dispersions and emulsions used as carbon and glass fiber sizing, binders and lubricants by fiberglass and other reinforcing fiber manufacturers.
Gilles Le Moigne joined the firm as global sales manager and Valérie Marx as marketing associate.
