IGM Resins recently commissioned a new development lab at its North American regional center in Charlotte, NC, USA. Adjacent to the pilot plant, the new lab enhances the integrated development capability at IGM’s acrylate manufacturing facility, and is fully equipped to develop new monomers and oligomers for the UV inks and coatings markets. The dedicated lab strengthens the Company’s North American R&D Center technical complex, expanding IGM’s capability for product development, scale up and commercialization, as well as technical service for customers.
“The new lab is just one element in IGM Resins’ overall shift toward supplying higher value-added products,” said IGM CEO Edward Frindt. “Our future success depends on our ability to bring new products to the market to support our customers’ increasingly demanding applications.”
To support these objectives, Frindt announced the promotion of David Zopf to Technical Director, Acrylates. Formerly North American Business Manager, his new role includes global responsibility for development of IGM’s acrylates as well as managing the technical service in North America. Zopf’s background includes 21 years of coatings, adhesives and composites industry technical experience, including service as Technical Applications Manager at Dymax Corp (Bomar Specialties division), Technical Manager at InChem Corporation, and Senior Development Chemist at Zeon Technologies, Inc. He holds a B.S. degree in Chemistry from Boston University. Zopf is based at IGM’s North American R&D Center in Charlotte, NC.
Chemical synthesis of acrylates also is performed in IGM’s R&D Center in China. Both centers work closely with on-site advanced-technology pilot plants. The Company’s main Application Center in Europe provides testing and support for IGM’s developing products.