McCLARIN Composites Executes Joint Development Agreement with ExxonMobil's Proxxima™ Business for Breakthrough in High-Speed RTM

Building on the prior strategic asset purchase completed by McCLARIN and announced at JEC 2024 in Paris, France, this next chapter includes a multi-million-dollar investment in automated Resin Transfer Molding (RTM) infrastructure at the McCLARIN Oklahoma facility. McCLARIN has carefully selected RTM equipment innovation partners based on their respective track records in the industry and at its Pennsylvania and Oklahoma sites, setting the stage for a breakthrough in Tier 1 supply for OEMs in Mobility and the Built Environment sectors.

This collaboration will leverage the high-performance Proxxima^TM polyolefin thermoset system to jointly develop and commercially validate a high-speed machine-driven Resin Transfer Molding (RTM) technology. Combined it yields a high performance and cost-competitive composites platform that offers new options to Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs) and specifiers. The innovative Proxxima™ polyolefin chemistry exhibits a carbon footprint of product (CFP) estimate of ~60% lower than comparable epoxy resins** and nearly 50% lower than conventional vinyl ester resins on a cradle-to-gate basis.

This disruptive McCLARIN RTM technology, utilizing Proxxima^TM systems, is well positioned to replace traditional SMC applications by delivering parts with low cycle time that are tougher, lighter, faster and stronger - giving a significant improvement in total life cycle cost. With growing demands from the market and OEMs for sustainable part supply chains, this project aims to both reduce and quantify the reduction in carbon emissions. 

Further, at CAMX 2024 in San Diego, ExxonMobil announced that Proxxima^TM polymers and infusion mixed plastic scrap are compatible with the current Exxtend^TM technology for advanced recycling which opens a potential end-of-life pathway for this program.

McCLARIN Chief Executive Officer Mike Gromacki shared, “The commitment and investment that ExxonMobil has made to the composites industry since its entrance with the Proxxima^TM platform has been incredible. They bring global reach, long-term vision, R&D capability, and economy of scale to lift the composites industry and to open markets that had been previously inaccessible. McCLARIN brings decades of New Product Development (NPD) and Advanced Product Quality Planning (APQP) capabilities needed to commercially transfer the technology.”

“McCLARIN has designed and produced remarkable parts using Proxxima™ thermoset resin,” said David Morrissett, Business Development Leader for ExxonMobil Proxxima™ Polyolefin Thermoset Systems. “We are excited to see our joint development effort open new applications and markets with a high-speed RTM process on our Proxxima^TM system.”

ABOUT McCLARIN COMPOSITES

McCLARIN is a leading Tier One manufacturer of composites for Mobility and the Built Environment. Mobility segments include Rail, Heavy Truck, Bus, RV and Military. Built Environment segments include Aerial Lift/Platforms, Construction, Agriculture, Energy, and Infrastructure. The company is based in Hanover, PA and has additional manufacturing locations in Oklahoma City, OK and Wapato, WA. Learn more at mcclarincomposites.com