Huntsman is celebrating 45 years since the launch of its Krystalgran surface protection products. The anniversary coincides with Huntsman increasing the manufacturing capacity of its Ringwood site in Illinois, USA, where it produces its Krystalgran non-optical aliphatic TPU pellets and its range of Krystalflex optical aliphatic TPU films.
Earlier this year Huntsman opened a new building at its Ringwood plant. The purpose-built facility has been fitted out with the latest automated manufacturing equipment – increasing Huntsman’s production capacity and its ability to run customer trials. The investment is the latest milestone in Huntsman’s rich history of supporting the safety glazing and surface protection markets:
- 1975: Introduction of Krystalgran PE192, an optical aliphatic technology
- 1992: Introduction of Krystalgran PE102 for the protection of wind turbine blades
- 1993: Introduction of Krystalflex PE399, a primer-less optical aliphatic for safety glazing applications
- 2004: Introduction of Krystalflex PE501 as a higher strength anti-ballistic film
- 2020: Expansion of production capacity at Ringwood facility
Both TPUs series are widely used in surface protection and safety glazing applications worldwide – with Krystalflex films for interlayer laminating applications within the glass industry. The materials are used to strengthen anti-ballistic glass used in military vehicles, banks and government buildings. Krystalgran products, which are sold as pellets, are used to enhance paint protection in the automotive industry; in electronic film applications; in signage projects; and to protect the leading edge of helicopter and wind turbine blades.
Tom Baird, Huntsman’s Plant Manager at Ringwood, said: “Huntsman has a long history of developing innovative products for surface protection and safety glazing industries. Our first Krystalgran product was created in 1975. Today, the portfolio is the broadest technology platform of its kind and is used across a wide array of industries. Our established track record in markets such as renewable energy, consumer displays, and paint protection films, combined with our new manufacturing capabilities, will enable us to keep innovating in parallel with our customers – supporting their manufacturing requirements through our long-established proven product platforms.”
Huntsman’s surface protection products offer a wide range of shore hardness options. Key Krystalgran products manufactured at Ringwood include:
- PE 102 for leading edge (wind turbine / helicopter blade) applications
- PN 03 for paint protection film and graphics applications
- PN 60 for graphics and electronics applications.