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Microcellular foaming of thermoplastic polymers was first conceptualized at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) in the late 80's and early 90's. In late 1995, the continuous development and commercialization of the microcellular foaming process was taken over from MIT by Trexel. The Company's patented MuCellŽ Process which is used to produce injection molded parts worldwide (as well as TPE & TPV extruded products), provides significant cost savings and unattainable quality improvements. Due to the introduction of small, precise amounts of supercritical nitrogen gas into the molten resin during the molding process, the MuCell Process enables the production of otherwise unattainable stress free parts and parts which maintain strict dimensional stability. Trexel's business model is based on licensing its intellectual property and know-how to molders of plastic parts and/or their end user customers. The company has an extensive microcellular foaming patent portfolio, which provides strong barriers to entry to direct competitors or unauthorized users. Trexel also designs, manufactures and sells the TrexelŽ SCF System and MuCell Interface Kit, both of which have been uniquely engineered to meet the requirements of the MuCell Process. Trexel's extrusion technology is targeted primarily at TPV and TPE applications with emphasis on the dynamic weather sealing market within the automotive industry. In order to make the technology easily accessible on industry standard molding equipment, Trexel has established licenses with leading plastic machinery equipment suppliers throughout the world. These manufacturers offer a MuCell option for their standard injection molding machines, thereby serving as an indirect distribution vehicle while providing a platform for the MuCell technology. Trexel has recently introduced a MuCell Modular Upgrade (MMU) which allows molders to convert their existing molding machines to MuCell Molding Machines on site in just a few days with Trexel's on site assistance. To support the company's international sales activities, regional MuCell support centers have been created by Trexel in the U.S., Germany, Japan, Singapore, and Korea (PlusHUB). In addition, there are fifteen world-wide locations where machinery equipment companies and educational and industrial institutes are demonstrating the MuCell Process to their own customers. Trexel's engineering group has established a network of exclusive manufacturing relationships on three continents to produce the company's proprietary precision engineering equipment. This equipment support network extends to Shanghai China. With more than 100 licensees, and more than 200 MuCell applications in the immediate commercialization pipeline, the globally recognized "MuCell" brand name continues to attract growing interest worldwide. |
