Skip to main content
Sister Publication Links
  • European Rubber Journal
  • Plastics News
  • Tire Business
Subscribe
  • Login
  • Register
  • Subscribe
  • News
    • Automotive
    • Tire
    • Non-Tire
    • Suppliers
    • Silicone
    • Online Exclusive
    • Latex
    • Technical Notebooks
    • Executive Action
    • Government/Legal
    • Opinion
    • Rubber Division IEC
    • ITEC
    • Blogs
    • Sustainability
    • Products
    • Wacky World of Rubber
  • War in Ukraine
  • Custom
    • Sponsored Content
    • White Papers
  • Resources
    • Directory
    • Classifieds & Mold Mart
  • Data
  • Events
    • RN Events
    • RN Livestreams/Webinars
    • Industry Events
    • Past Events
    • Rubber News M&A Live
    • 2022 Hose & Belt Manufacturers Conference
    • 2022 International Silicone Conference
    • 2022 International Tire Exhibition & Conference (ITEC)
  • Advertise
  • DIGITAL EDITION
MENU
Breadcrumb
  1. Home
  2. Expansion
January 16, 2020 02:33 PM

Huber adds capacity for fire retardant additives

Chris Sweeney
  • Tweet
  • Share
  • Share
  • Email
  • More
    Print

    CLEVELAND—Huber Engineered Materials is expanding to increase its capacity for fire retardant additives.

    The firm will invest an undisclosed amount to add fine precipitated hydrate capacity at its manufacturing site in Martinswerk, Germany.

    Most of the demand for halogen-free fire retardant products is driven by wire and cable applications serving global end markets such as automotive, construction and industrial, said Huber, which is a division of J.M. Huber Corp.

    "We're one of the few manufacturers at this point who have expansion activities going on at this time," Don Mills, Huber's global sales director, said at the recent International Elastomer Conference in Cleveland. "The global market is growing and we needed to expand to meet that demand."

    Mills added that the firm also is adding capacity at its manufacturing site in Bauxite, Ark., as the firm transfers technology from its Germany operations to produce its fire retardant additives in North America.

    Both projects were on schedule to be complete by the end of 2019. Mills said that Huber's capacity in Germany is expanding by about 20 percent while the project in Arkansas will take its capacity total up by about 10 percent. The firm does not expect to add many jobs with the projects.

    "Together, these are the most significant capacity expansions that we're aware of globally," Mills said.

    He said that automotive is probably the biggest driver, but as companies expand into 5G systems, that is creating plenty of opportunities for wire and cable products, and in turn stronger fire retardant components. He said that regulations in Europe also added more layers to existing flame and smoke toxicity level regulations, which is leading to more demand for these kinds of products.

    Lithium-ion battery development and semiconductor applications also are high growth areas for fire retardant components.

    "Huber has made significant investments in this area of fire retardant and performance additives because we have a great deal of faith in the continuing growth and advancement of the technologies in these markets," Mills said.

    Letter
    to the
    Editor

    Rubber News wants to hear from its readers. If you want to express your opinion on a story or issue, email your letter to Editor Bruce Meyer at [email protected].

    Most Popular
    1
    U.S. tire market continues to attract new players
    2
    Diversity focus, cultural shift needed to combat labor shortage
    3
    Stellantis ranked lowest in supplier relations study
    4
    Technical Notebook: Opportunities and threats for rubber products
    5
    Stakes high as global NR industry urgently seeks alternate supply
    SIGN UP FOR NEWSLETTERS
    EMAIL ADDRESS

    Please enter a valid email address.

    Please enter your email address.

    Please verify captcha.

    Please select at least one newsletter to subscribe.

    Get our newsletters

    Staying current is easy with Rubber News delivered straight to your inbox, free of charge.

    Subscribe Today

    Subscribe to Rubber News to get the best coverage and leading insights in the industry.

    SUBSCRIBE
    Connect with Us
    • LinkedIn
    • Facebook
    • Twitter

    MISSION

    To serve companies in the global rubber product industry by delivering news, industry insights, opinions and technical information.

    Contact Us

    2291 Riverfront Pkwy, Suite 1000
    Cuyahoga Falls,
    OH 44221

    Customer Service:
    877-320-1726

    Resources
    • About Us
    • Digital Edition
    • Staff
    • Advertise
    • Order Reprints
    • Privacy Policy
    • Privacy Request
    • Terms of Service
    • Careers
    • Ad Choices Ad Choices
    • Sitemap
    Partner Sites
    • Tire Business
    • European Rubber Journal
    • Plastics News
    • Plastics News China
    • Urethanes Technology
    • Automotive News
    • Crain Brands
    Copyright © 1996-2022. Crain Communications, Inc. All Rights Reserved.
    • News
      • Automotive
      • Tire
      • Non-Tire
      • Suppliers
      • Silicone
      • Online Exclusive
      • Latex
      • Technical Notebooks
      • Executive Action
      • Government/Legal
      • Opinion
      • Rubber Division IEC
      • ITEC
      • Blogs
        • Products
        • Wacky World of Rubber
      • Sustainability
    • War in Ukraine
    • Custom
      • Sponsored Content
      • White Papers
    • Resources
      • Directory
      • Classifieds & Mold Mart
    • Data
    • Events
      • RN Events
        • 2022 Hose & Belt Manufacturers Conference
        • 2022 International Silicone Conference
        • 2022 International Tire Exhibition & Conference (ITEC)
      • RN Livestreams/Webinars
      • Industry Events
      • Past Events
      • Rubber News M&A Live
    • Advertise
    • DIGITAL EDITION