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.
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.
Within four years, the company expanded its product line to include polyurethane moldings and cushioning, employing 40 workers.
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.
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.
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.
Albert Korman gained complete control of Mansonville Plastics Ltd. through a share exchange with his brother, Fred.
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.
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.
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.
Mansonville Plastics Ltd.’s assets were sold off, and the company name merged with Potton Chemicals Ltd. in September.
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.
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.
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.
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.
In late 1983, Huntsmans and Potton Chemicals formed a joint venture, resulting in the establishment of Polymère Huntsman-Russtek of Canada.
Huntsman acquired all shares of Russtek of Canada, leading to the company's transformation into Huntsman Chemical Company of Canada.
In 2007, Huntsman Chemical Company closes in Mansonville. About 40 employees lost their jobs and the production is transferred to Peru, Illinois.
July 1, 2008, NexKemia Petrochemicals, Inc. acquired an idle EPS manufacturing facility in Mansonville, Quebec. Small group of 10 people
In 2009, material qualification process and UL/ULC Flammability Certification. Issuance of ESR Evaluation Report 2949 (Intertek).
Fall 2010, new 4th Reactor comes online. Brings capacity to 60 MM lbs.
In 2015, an addition of Reactor 5 increases capacity to 80 MM lbs.
In 2018, Reactor 6 was added. Capacity is increased to 100 MM lbs.
In 2020, Reactor 7 brings site capacity to over 120MM lbs.
In 2021, Extrusion R&D Line is installed. Creation of R&D group focusing on the specialty resin development.
In 2022, Extrusion plant & Line 1 operational: 15MM lbs./year.
In 2022, an acquisition of polystyrene recycler Eco Captation allows for an increased focus on sustainability.
In 2023-24, Extrusion Line 2 operational by 1st Qtr. of 2024. Increases total capacity close to 200 MM lbs./year.
In 2024, Reactor 8 is online by July, feedstock for extruded EPS.
Currently 90 NexKemia employees on our growing team.
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