Atlanta — Huber Engineered Materials (HEM) has strengthened its position in the fire retardant additives market with the acquisition of Magnifin Magnesiaprodukte GmbH & Co. KG, formely a 50/50 joint venture with RHI Magnesita.
Based in Breitenau, Austria, Magnifin produces coated and uncoated magnesium hydroxide (MDH) under the brand Magnifin.
The products, Huber said in a Jan. 10 statement, are "environment friendly, halogen-free fire retardants" used in a wide range of polymer applications, including elastomers requiring high processing temperatures in excess of 300° C.
Typical applications include energy and local area network (LAN) data cables, automotive wire and cable, engineering thermoplastics such as connectors and construction membranes.
Huber originally acquired its 50 percent share in Magnifin with the 2016 purchase of the Martinswerk, a Bergheim, Germany-based manufacturer of halogen-free products for flame retardant and smoke suppression applications.
"This transition is a strong strategic fit with HEM's mission to own and operate speciality chemical and mineral companies with market leading positions," HEM President Dan Krawczyk said.
Huber offers a wide range of non-halogen flame retardant and smoke suppressant additives for fire retardants in rubber processing.
The Atlanta-based company develops fire retardant compounds for multiple rubber-related applications including wire and cable, silicone rubber, foam insulation and general rubber goods.