Extrusion International USA 4-2022

35 Extrusion International 4/2022  Milliken & Company shares that it has made a significant investment in the coating additives laboratory it acquired in 2020 as part of its pur- chase of Borchers Americas, Inc., in Westlake, Ohio. Now known as “Borchers: A Mil- liken Brand,” the acquired business was founded in 1807 as a chemical company but has since grown into a global provider of performance ad- ditives for the coatings, inks, and ad- hesives markets. With the Westlake lab investment, the company now has three state- of-the-art coating additives labs globally, with the others located in Langenfeld, Germany and Shanghai, China (which was also upgraded fol - lowing the acquisition). The newly transformed lab has an open concept with a vibrant, en- ergizing workspace and upgraded equipment. Designed specifically for coating additives lab work, the space is organized to increase efficiency and collaboration while also provid- ing a safe and comfortable work- ing environment. “We are thrilled with the improvements made in the lab,” said Loulou Rozek, who leads the global technical service team at the facility. “It’s exciting to see that Milliken is investing in both the busi- ness and associates by improving the workspace.” A priority of the remodel was cre- ating an ergonomic work environ- ment that provides a positive, safe atmosphere. “I’m proud to work for a safety-focused company that cares about the health of its people” said Ryan Outrich, technical service chemist. Milliken took an associate-first ap- proach to the lab update by asking the laboratory team to lead the re- model, allowing associates to design not only the layout but the aesthetic as well. The coating additives team is used to working with colorful paints and wanted a bright, energiz- ing space, selecting vibrant purple, green and orange accent colors to promote creativity. “It’s gratifying to work for a company that asks its lab associates to help design their own workspace,” says Allison Ab- bey, technical service chemist and co-supplier manager. “I get excited to go to work every day.” In addition to workspace rede- sign, Milliken invested heavily in lab and test equipment along with expanding the team. “The lab’s sophisticated new equipment can generate state-of-the-art data for our customers,” Rozek said. The ad- dition of equipment, associates and an upgraded layout approximately doubles project capacity, enabling Milliken to further support custom- ers. The team began working in the up- graded lab in March and is now wel- coming customers to schedule tours, demonstrations, and trainings. In the future, Milliken plans to fur- ther expand their coating additives labs into other regions such as India and Brazil. Milliken & Company www.milliken.com Borchers Borchers.com Investment Advances the Coating Additives Lab in Ohio, USA Milliken&Company investment advances its coatingadditives lab inOhio, USA (Photo©2022Milliken&Company)