Ashland celebrates lasting innovation with MAXGUARD® gelcoat technology

DUBLIN, Ohio – Introduced in 1997 by Ashland Composite Polymers, MAXGUARD gelcoat, with low-emission technology, brought the first styrene-reduced products to market that featured improved performance characteristics. Ashland Composite Polymers, a business group of Ashland Performance Materials, a division of Ashland Inc. (NYSE: ASH), is celebrating 10 years of leadership in gelcoat technology with MAXGUARD LE gelcoat.

“We have watched this product continually grow and become the standard by which all others are measured,” said Olli Piiroinen, industry manager for Ashland Composite Polymers’ European marine market. “Our customers rely on the consistent quality and service we supply. When you build a yacht, you want it right, and with MAXGUARD LE gelcoat our customers have seen steady, dependable quality in their finished products.”

“When a boat buyer looks for a Hallberg-Rassy, he is, as usual, expecting good finish; and the Swedish authorities are expecting us to contribute to a very clean environment. Ashland MAXGUARD LE gelcoat helps us fulfill both these requirements,” said Magnus Rassy, managing director, Hallberg-Rassy Varys, AB, maker of fine sailing yachts.

Ashland Composite Polymers is a leader in supplying products, processes and technologies to the global marketplace for composites and gelcoats.
Ashland Performance Materials is a worldwide manufacturer and supplier of specialty chemicals and customized services to the building and construction, packaging and converting, transportation, marine and metal casting industries. It is a technology leader in metal casting consumables and design services; unsaturated polyester and vinyl ester resins and gelcoats; and high-performance adhesives and specialty resins.