Huntsman opens R&D facility

DERRY, N.H. (Oct. 2)—Huntsman Polyurethanes, a global business of Huntsman International L.L.C., has built a 20,000-sq.-ft. thermoplastic polyurethanes research and development facility, replacing a smaller plant it recently closed in North Andover, Mass. The new site is needed to handle Huntsman's growing TPU research and technology operation, a spokeswoman said. The R&D department began expanding shortly after the global business unit of Salt Lake City-based Huntsman International L.L.C. purchased Rohm and Haas Co.'s Morton Thermoplastic Polyurethanes division in September 2000. The Derry facility has a dedicated machine hall to handle prototyping of applications and two laboratories, she said. It provides office space for about 15 researchers. One laboratory is for physical testing, including a magnetic coatings area, and the other is for research and design.