CINCINNATI – Michelman celebrated the grand opening of its new Advanced Materials Collaboration Center (AMCC) on October 2, 2014, at the company’s global headquarters in Cincinnati. The AMCC enhances Michelman’s ability to develop innovative water-based coatings, surface additives and polymers for the industries it serves. It includes six new laboratories with state-of-the-art equipment, bright and accessible open space, meeting rooms designed to allow application teams to collaborate on projects, and office space for staff and associates.

The spirit of collaboration is carried throughout the facility. The building was designed physically and technologically so that Michelman’s teams of internal application specialists and chemists are able to seamlessly interact with customers, vendors, research universities and other R&D facilities engaged in activities related to the markets Michelman serves. This collaborative approach facilitates the open sharing of ideas and technology between groups to the benefit of all Michelman stakeholders.

New simulation equipment in Michelman’s pilot laboratory allows the company to more accurately observe how product solutions perform under actual end-use conditions and use that information to improve formulations. This capability helps customers reduce the time between product conception and commercialization.

At the grand opening, attended by well over 100 guests, Steve Shifman, President and CEO of Michelman, commented, “In June of 2012, the State of Ohio through its Third Frontier Fund believed in our vision and stepped forward with a $2.5 million grant, which when combined with our own $20 million investment allowed us to build this facility. At our core, we are a science organization. With the AMCC, we have created an environment that exceeds our scientists’ expectations, helps us attract the best and brightest, lets them do their best work, and helps us retain our outstanding talent.”