Endless Innovation

Overview

Innovation is in our DNA at Kraton. As the inventor of styrenic block copolymers (SBC) and leading global producer of pine chemicals, we are continuously developing and advancing solutions that meet multi-market needs and differentiate customer products. Whether you need a safer alternative to latex gloves or better adhesion tackifiers, you can depend on Kraton to help push the boundaries of performance that power the future of innovation.  Regardless of application area, our approach to innovation involves developing a thorough understanding of the problem and determining how innovation tools can best deliver solutions that bring value to our customers.

FACTS & FIGURES

• About 200 scientists and engineers in Global R&D
• 8 R&D locations worldwide
• Portfolio of approximately 870 granted patents (including families)
• Global R&D budget of $40.8 million (2017)

AREAS OF FOCUS

• Technical support and application development
• Operational excellence
• New product development
• Breakthrough technologies
• Product stewardship and regulatory affairs
• Analytical services
• Health, Safety, Environment and Security

OPERATIONAL CAPABILITIES

• Bench scale polymerization, hydrogenation and wash in Kraton Innovation Center - Houston (KIC-HOU)
• Paving & Roofing application and development labs in KIC-HOU and Kraton Innovation Center - Amsterdam (KIC-AMS)
• Pilot plant in KIC-AMS with 1 gram to 10 kg scale
• Semi-works plant in Belpre, OH with 10 kg to 1,000 kg scale
• Application development capabilities in global R&D facilities for target market segments
• Bench scale polymerization, esterification, dimerization, fractionation and hydrogenation in Kraton Innovation Center - Savanna (KIC-SAV) and Kraton Innovation Center - Almere (KIC-ALM)
• State-of-the-art rubber processing and testing lab for tire applications in KIC-ALM
• Dedicated analytical testing labs in KIC-HOU, KIC-SAV and KIC-ALM