Alexium International
| Traded as | |
|---|---|
| Industry | Chemicals |
| Headquarters | Perth, Western Australia, Australia |
| Products | Chemicals, flame retardant chemistry, reactive surface treatment |
Production output | Greer, South Carolina, USA |
| Website |
alexiuminternational |
Alexium International Group Limited is a speciality chemicals development company headquartered in Perth, Western Australia, with operations in Greer, South Carolina. It specializes in early applications in the textile industry, specifically in flame retardant technology.
Alexium has a presence in the United States, Australia, and Europe and is listed on the Australian Securities Exchange (ASX:AJX).
History
Alexium was established to develop technology supported by a strategic relationship with the U.S. Department of Defense. Alexium’s Reactive Surface Treatment (RST) platform technology was originally invented by the U.S. Air Force in response to threats from chemical and biological warfare agents. Leveraging approximately $30 million invested by the military to develop the technology, Alexium acquired the RST process in order to deliver solutions for both military and commercial customers.
Alexium established a number of commercial/technical partnerships and successfully demonstrated RST technology on a number of applications and booked sales for initial demonstration projects – primarily related to chemical/ biological protection for the military. A number of these military programs remain active today.
After listing on the ASX in 2010, Alexium began building a team of business professionals, engineers, scientists and technical consultants in three global locations. In addition to the corporate head office in Perth, Australia, Alexium maintains a 11,000 square-foot operations headquarters, which includes limited production facilities, offices, and R&D laboratories near Greenville, South Carolina, and a sales office in Europe.
Since then, Alexium’s technology has evolved and advanced in a number of markets. In 2012, after announcing that it will focus on developing Flame Retardant (FR) solutions, Alexium signed a major commercial agreement with Duro Textiles and began global commercial roll-out of its FR treatments.
Technology
FR Treatments
Alexium has been recognised by the World Textile Information Network (WTiN) for its scientific success in FR treatments.[1] It also gained considerable attention at Techtextil North America 2012 for the technology.[2]
Products:
Nuvalon: treatment for polyester-cotton blends up to 65% polyester, mostly used in the military and workwear markets
Nycolon: treatments for nylon-cotton blends up to 50% Polyamide, mostly used in the military and workwear markets
Polytron: treatment for polyester and polyester-rich fabrics, mostly used in the furnish, upholstery, transportation, and contract markets
Omnitron: treatment for cotton and synthetic-cotton blends, mostly used in the furnishing, upholstery, transportation, and contract markets
Bactron: Back-coating treatment for cotton and synthetic-cotton blends, mostly used in the furnishing, upholstery, and transportation market
Ascalon(***): treatment for Polyamide and polyester, mostly used in the military and workwear markets
(***) Anticipated Global Release Date: Fall 2014
Alexium also offers custom blends and solutions for textile and non-textile applications.
Licensees, Distributors, Chemical Relationships
Licensees
Duro Textiles: Duro is a US-based textile finisher, and in August 2012, Alexium finalized an exclusive license agreement with them to take Ascalon to market in North America.[3]
Distributors
iTextiles: Alexium recently signed an agreement with iTextiles, a Pakistani chemical distributor, to distribute all of Alexium's FR products in Pakistan, UAE, Sri Lanka and Saudi Arabia.
Essex/EuroFlam: Euroflam is A U.K.-based FR commission finisher specializing in home textiles, furnishings, and institutional/contract fabric. Alexium recently signed an agreement for them to become a customer and commercial partner for Alexium's FR products in the U.K.
Toll Manufacturers
Marlin: Marlin is a toll chemical manufacturer for the production of Nycolon, Nuvalon, and Polytron.
InChem: Alexium has a large volume manufacturing arrangement with InChem Corporation for a minimum 150,000-liter per year capacity for ASCALON flame retardant chemicals. The product is designated for Alexium's North American licensee Duro Textiles. InChem Corporation is based in Rock Hill, South Carolina and provides custom, contract and toll manufacturing of speciality chemicals.
Environmental record
Traditional FR products contain bromides and halogens, which are currently being investigated in the US for environmental concerns. The global demand for non-halogenated FR products is growing, and many companies—including Alexium—are working to meet the demand for FR products that do not use bromides or halogens. Alexium is also working to meet or exceed the new c6 fluorocarbon requirements.[4]
References
- ↑ "WTiN Intelligence".
- ↑ "SHOW REPORT: Techtextil North America hailed a success". Retrieved 27 August 2013.
- ↑ "WTiN Intelligence". Retrieved 27 August 2013.
- ↑ "Commercial transition to safer flame retardants a golden opportunity for Alexium". Retrieved 27 August 2013.