AI was a major theme at this year’s LIGNA exhibition in Hannover.
One of the strongest advocates was Hexion Inc and its recently acquired Smartech business.
When Hexion completed the acquisition of Smartech in 2024, it signalled its intent to revolutionise the manufacturing ecosystem.
Smartech’s leadership in AI-driven autonomous manufacturing solutions is already well-known in the wood-based panels industry, due to its partnership with Siempelkamp in their innovative Prod- IQ SmartPress solution for autonomous production lines.
Smartech also serves the panels industry with its smart systems for chemicals and resins, covering wax, MDI and PF, designed to elevate their performance in panel production and reduce material use.
Now Hexion has added SmartQuality, a new AI platform purpose built for mill operators to give them real-time visibility into board quality and production data. It enables, says Smartech, faster line speeds, greater consistency, and less waste. This covers the whole wood-based panel manufacturing process.
It marks a big step in Hexion’s strategic transformation from a materials provider to a full-service partner delivering differentiated solutions. It expands the company’s customer-first partnership model by integrating AI into industrial chemistry and manufacturing
Hexion CEO Michael Lefenfeld highlighted the importance of AI in manufacturing when he gave a keynote address at LIGNA: “Why the Future Runs Through AI,” a message that was amplified on the Hexion / Smartech stand in Hall 26.
Burt Capel, Hexion senior vice-president and chief commercial officer, told WBPI at LIGNA that Hexion wanted to help increase yields in the industry and create an even more sustainable product with fewer defects.
He highlighted SmartQuality’s ability to improve performance that can lead to a 3% increase in line speed – an impact that grows even greater when combined with other Smartech solutions.
“Every bit of extra yield makes a difference to our customers,” said Mr Capel.
Mr Capel said the combination of Hexion’s leading resins technology role in the wood-based panels space, together with Smartech’s expanding suite of AI-powered platforms, presented a compelling and unique partnership.
As well as the launch of SmartQuality, Mr Capel cited the new collaborative partnership with leading OSB stranding technology manufacturer Kadant Carmanah Design. Smartech’s AI technology will now provide a natural evolution for Kadant’s flagship SmartRING strander product line and Argus smart-connected technologies platform.
The move, Mr Capel says, will help the OSB industry produce better quality strands and improve production efficiency.
Mr Capel said Hexion was re-investing in customer engagement to help clients find solutions to manufacturing problems. Better knowledge, greater capabilities and improved training form part of this ambition.
He reported a significant increase in Hexion patent filings from the prior state. The company already has more than 450 patents and 450 registered trademarks worldwide, with its investment in green chemistry principles including EcoBind Resin Technology, VeoVa Silane Technology, Cardura glycidyl ester, and ArmorBuilt Wildfire Shield.
Sustainability, he insisted, was at the heart of Hexion’s development work.
At LIGNA, SmartQuality was one of the biggest innovation launches this year and tackles the long-standing industry dilemma of choosing between line speed and quality – delivering advanced data-driven insights that minimise these trade-offs.
The AI in the system is designed to continuously learn from each board produced, further enhancing operational efficiency and product consistency over time, specific to each customer’s production line.
By giving operators more control with real-time data, Hexion says quality assurance improves, boosting board quality and reducing raw material used.
It’s a development WBPI will watch with interest, as AI becomes increasingly utilised within the wood-based panels industry.
