Huntsman has appointed Mr André Genton as Global President of its Advanced Materials Division, which recently became a separate operating division in Huntsman. The establishment of a separate division is also a result of global expansion of materials sales and a recent diversification in products and applications. One example is the rapid manufacturing equipment, a market segment Huntsman considers to have large potential.

In the last five years Advanced Materials sales have grown by over 45% from approximately $1.1billion to over $1.6billion as of FY 2008. The Division currently operates in 13 manufacturing locations across the globe, employs 2,300 people and serves around 4,000 customers, with 9,000 different products.

André Genton said: “Our target is to replace existing solutions through sustainable, economic and safer materials. As an example, we see the global push for better energy policies as an opportunity. Based on a programme of investment in innovation and partnership, we will do our best to seize the opportunities in times of crisis.”

Huntsman Advanced Materials has won four major awards for innovation in the last six months. It is working in partnership with a number of companies on a range of projects such as fuel cell resins where it sees huge potential as aggressive energy performance and cost targets come into effect in the coming years.

Look out for an in-depth “Opinion” from Andre Genton in the next issue of The TCT Magazine, which illustrates how Huntsman are rising to the challenges of the future.