As part of its broader investment plan to drive innovation and growth in its specialty product lines, Hexion Inc. (Columbus, Ohio) intends to expand its Portland, Oregon, manufacturing site. The company is beginning the permitting stages of a second automated manufacturing line to support its recently-launched ArmorBuilt fire resistant wrap, a new product which greatly improves fire protection when applied to a substrate, such as wood utility poles. The first automated production line will come online at the end of the first quarter of 2021 and the second automated line is expected to start up around year-end 2021.
ArmorBuilt wrap is a proprietary wrap from Hexion that can be applied to either new or existing wood utility poles. Hexion has been providing high-performing adhesives for decades and has leveraged its expertise to develop a fire-retardant coating for more sustainable wooden utility poles that greatly improves their fire resistance. ArmorBuilt wrap has passed an industry approved wildfire simulation burn test for fire resistance.
“Our ArmorBuilt fire resistant wrap has been extremely well received by the utilities industry,” said Scott McIntyre, North American Business Director, Performance Adhesives. “The additional automated capacity will enable us to meet the strong demand for this fire-resistant mesh wrap that leverages Hexion’s innovative resin technology and ultimately helps mitigate the devastating impact of wildfires by protecting the critical utility infrastructure. Targeted investments like these, in partnership with our customers, are a key part of our global growth strategy that the Company continues to execute against going forward.”
Hexion is working closely with one of the largest wood pole producers in North America to make ArmorBuilt wrap the specified solution for Pacific Gas & Electric Company to protect their utility pole infrastructure in wildfire prone areas. Hexion also continues to strategically expand its manufacturing capabilities for other adhesive applications around the globe, such as the expansion of its Brimbank, Australia, site.