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Timeline

Mansonville Plastics Ltd. & Potton Chemicals Ltd.

The story of Mansonville Plastics Ltd., established in 1958 by the Korman family, and its transformation into Potton Chemicals Ltd. encapsulates a legacy of innovation, resilience, and growth within the plastics industry. Starting with the production of insulation and ceiling tiles, the company navigated through challenges, including a devastating fire in 1963, to expand its product line and geographical footprint. This timeline highlights the critical junctures and strategic decisions that have defined its journey from a local manufacturer to a significant player in the plastics and chemicals industry.

  • 1958

    Our Start

    Mansonville Plastics Ltd. was incorporated by Albert and Fred Korman, along with their father, Albert Senior, focusing on manufacturing insulation and ceiling tiles from expandable polystyrene beads, that were imported from Europe.

  • 1962

    Expansion Begins

    Within four years, the company expanded its product line to include polyurethane moldings and cushioning, employing 40 workers.

  • 1963

    Fire Strikes

    In the afternoon of Saturday, June 29th, 1963, a major fire destroyed the Mansonville Plastics premises, but reconstruction began immediately. The company resumed full production before the winter.

  • 1965

    Buy Out

    Albert and Fred Korman bought out Albert Senior’s shares, expanded the company with additional plants in Ajax, Ontario, and Vancouver, B.C., and established warehousing in Calgary, Alberta.

  • 1965-1968

    Owl’s Head Ski Area

    Albert Korman served as Vice-President and General Manager of the Owl’s Head Ski Area, an enterprise developed in partnership with his brother Fred Korman.

  • 1968

    Share Exchange

    Albert Korman gained complete control of Mansonville Plastics Ltd. through a share exchange with his brother, Fred.

  • 1971

    Raw Materials

    Armand Russell purchased 50% of Mansonville Plastics shares, facilitating the foundation of Potton Chemicals Ltd. by Albert Korman to supply raw materials to Mansonville Plastics.

  • 1972

    Styrene Monomer Becomes Unavailable

    Potton Chemicals faced market restrictions due to competition with Mansonville Plastics. Completion and operational delays of Potton Chemicals’ manufacturing unit due to the global unavailability of styrene monomer.

  • 1972-1973

    Quality EPS in Production

    Mansonville Plastics buys machinery from John Manville from a factory located in Chicago. With a licence from a French society Rhone Poulenc, Potton chemicals starts making quality EPS.

  • 1972-1973

    Merger

    Mansonville Plastics Ltd.’s assets were sold off, and the company name merged with Potton Chemicals Ltd. in September.

  • 1973-1980s

    Innovation Continues

    Potton Chemicals continued producing fire-resistant and regular E.P.S. beads under the “Styro Ex” brand, with R&D efforts focused on innovative bead products for international markets.

  • 1980

    R&D Program

    The launch of a significant R&D program to develop E.P.S. beads for disposable cups, leading to international distribution and a major expansion of reactor capacity to 33 million lbs. annually.

  • 1980

    Expanding Capabilities

    Expansion of production capabilities and R&D facilities, including relocation of the R&D lab and retention of the quality control lab near the production unit.

  • 1983

    25th Anniversary

    The year 1983 marked the 25th anniversary of the plastics industry in Mansonville, celebrating the legacy and growth from Mansonville Plastics to Potton Chemicals and ensuring business growth and employment opportunities.

  • 1983

    Polymère Huntsman-Russtek

    In late 1983, Huntsmans and Potton Chemicals formed a joint venture, resulting in the establishment of Polymère Huntsman-Russtek of Canada.

  • 1987

    Huntsman Chemical Company of Canada

    Huntsman acquired all shares of Russtek of Canada, leading to the company's transformation into Huntsman Chemical Company of Canada.

  • 2007

    Plant Closes

    In 2007, Huntsman Chemical Company closes in Mansonville. About 40 employees lost their jobs and the production is transferred to Peru, Illinois.

NexKemia's Story

  • 2008

    NexKemia Petrochemicals Inc.

    July 1, 2008, NexKemia Petrochemicals, Inc. acquired an idle EPS manufacturing facility in Mansonville, Quebec. Small group of 10 people

  • 2009

    New Certifications

    In 2009, material qualification process and UL/ULC Flammability Certification. Issuance of ESR Evaluation Report 2949 (Intertek).

  • 2010

    Increased Capacity

    Fall 2010, new 4th Reactor comes online. Brings capacity to 60 MM lbs.

  • 2015

    Additional Reactor

    In 2015, an addition of Reactor 5 increases capacity to 80 MM lbs.

  • 2018

    Capacity Continues To Grow

    In 2018, Reactor 6 was added. Capacity is increased to 100 MM lbs.

  • 2020

    Reactor 7

    In 2020, Reactor 7 brings site capacity to over 120MM lbs.

  • 2021

    R&D Focus

    In 2021, Extrusion R&D Line is installed. Creation of R&D group focusing on the specialty resin development.

  • 2022

    Expansion Continues

    In 2022, Extrusion plant & Line 1 operational: 15MM lbs./year.

  • 2022

    Eco Captation

    In 2022, an acquisition of polystyrene recycler Eco Captation allows for an increased focus on sustainability.

  • 2023-2024

    200 MM lbs./year Capacity

    In 2023-24, Extrusion Line 2 operational by 1st Qtr. of 2024. Increases total capacity close to 200 MM lbs./year.

  • 2024

    Reactor 8

    In 2024, Reactor 8 is online by July, feedstock for extruded EPS.

  • 2024

    NexEco

    NexEco launches. In November, the ME Series becomes the first EPS resin to incorporate recycled content and receives UL certification in Canada and the U.S.