- Business
- Hexion Holdings Corporation (HXOH) is a leading global producer of adhesives and performance materials that serve as building blocks for industries including construction, agriculture, energy, automotive, and infrastructure protection. Founded more than 150 years ago and headquartered in Columbus, Ohio, the company operates approximately 27 manufacturing facilities worldwide, serving over 1,200 customers across roughly 60 countries with a focus on engineered wood products, specialty resins, and sustainable solutions. Its core products and services encompass formaldehyde-based resins and adhesives for engineered timber such as plywood, particleboard, and oriented strand board; Versatic acids and derivatives including VeoVa vinyl esters for coatings, paints, adhesives, and construction applications; chemical intermediates like MDI precursors and formalin; natural resource solutions for energy and agriculture including herbicides, fertilizers, and resin-coated proppants; and specialty offerings such as ArmorBuilt fire-resistant wraps.
Hexion's adhesives segment produces construction and industrial resins, formaldehyde for MDI and butanediol production, and additives optimized for wood processing efficiency; its performance materials include epoxy modifiers, curing agents, and high-performance coatings previously divested but with legacy integration in current portfolios. The company targets residential and non-residential construction, furniture, repair/remodel, wind energy, industrial applications, and consumer goods, emphasizing durability, adhesion, heat resistance, and low-emission technologies like EcoBind ultra-low emitting resins. Geographic operations span North America, Europe, Latin America, Asia-Pacific, and key hubs in Brazil, Canada, and Australia, supported by a vertically integrated supply chain and R&D facilities such as the expanded Edmonton site.
In recent developments, Hexion completed the acquisition of Smartech on December 3, 2024, integrating AI-driven autonomous manufacturing technologies like SmartMDI, SmartWAX, and SmartPF to enhance resin application precision, cut raw material costs by over 15%, reduce VOC emissions, and boost efficiency in wood panel production. This marks Hexion's first acquisition in a decade and aligns with its five-year transformation under American Securities ownership since March 2022, including expansions in Pernis acids capacity and VeoVa 9 vinyl esters in Moerdijk in 2021, adoption of renewable methanol for formalin production in 2022, and divestiture of the PVA and EPI emulsions business to Franklin International. Additional strategic moves encompass a collaborative partnership with Kadant Carmanah Design for AI-enhanced wood panel manufacturing, a pioneering alliance with Bloom for 100% plant-based adhesives, and a collaboration with Clariant for high-performance intumescent coatings, alongside multiple sustainability recognitions such as 2025 American Chemistry Council Responsible Care Awards for 12 sites, ENERGY STAR Partner of the Year, and EcoVadis Silver and Gold medals.