Celebrating Legacy and Innovation in Foam and Tape Solutions

Could you first tell us about your career journey with Saint-Gobain Tape Solutions?

My journey with Tape Solutions began in the early 1990s when I started in applications engineering, focusing on our Dynafoam® Foam-in-place Gasketing Materials. This role allowed me to gain dual exposure to both the commercial and manufacturing sides of the business, giving me a comprehensive understanding of how our traditional product lines, Norseal, Norbond, and Thermalbond, support major markets such as automotive, industrial, and construction. With the knowledge and experience I gained, I later transitioned into marketing and product management, where I began overseeing some of these major product lines.

Norseal, Norbond, and Thermalbond are key product families for Tape Solutions. Why do you think they’ve maintained their status among both legacy and new customers?

These products have a long history, with their development beginning in the late 1960s and 70s. Norseal became renowned for its sealing, gasketing, and vibration-dampening capabilities. Norbond, known for its attachment tapes, gained popularity by providing alternatives to traditional mechanical fasteners like screws, rivets, and glues. Finally, Thermalbond was initially introduced as thermal break tape but found a unique niche as a spacer solution for high-rise construction used in conjunction with modern structural silicone materials. These brands are trusted because they have proven their reliability over decades, continually changing with the introduction of acquisition-driven capabilities, new polymers, materials, and technologies.

Saint-Gobain Tape Solutions has undergone several acquisitions over the years, including the acquisition of Sandon by Norton in 1969 and Norton by Saint-Gobain in the 1990s. How have these acquisitions benefited Tape Solutions?

Acquisitions have been pivotal in expanding our capabilities. For instance, the acquisition of Norton by Saint-Gobain in the 1990s brought us a wealth of polymer chemical expertise and broadened our global reach, particularly in Europe and Asia. These acquisitions diversified our material offerings and enhanced our access to a global network of resources and expertise, enabling us to maintain locally tailored solutions.

Granville has received numerous safety awards over the years. Could you elaborate on this?

These awards reflect our commitment to prioritizing safety as Saint-Gobain employees. We are dedicated to ensuring the well-being of all employees, as maintaining a safe environment is crucial for satisfaction and morale. Furthermore, creating products that are safe and reliable is central to our success.

Could you categorize certain products in your portfolio as “good, better, best”?

Certainly! We often use Norseal to illustrate this concept. The technology behind our Norseal product line started with PVC in the 1970s. Over time, we introduced polyurethane chemistries that enhanced cushioning and vibration-dampening performance.

The latest evolution features silicone elastomers, which offer top-tier performance for demanding applications like aerospace. In this context, PVC represents the “good” option, polyurethanes the “better,” and silicones the “best,” especially regarding extreme temperature resistance and durability. This diverse portfolio ensures we meet various customer needs effectively.

Product customization is a key strength for the Tape Solutions team. How do you approach this with your customers?

Customization is indeed a significant part of our value proposition. For example, let’s examine the Norseal PF Series. Products in this series have been specially developed to meet the unique needs of EV battery packs. Each manufacturer has specific requirements for deflection forces, resiliency, and cushioning characteristics to ensure the safety and optimal performance of their components. We work closely with our customers to tailor densities, thicknesses, and performance characteristics to meet their exact specifications.

The Norseal V730 was recently reformulated with sustainability in mind. What can you share about this product and its future impact?

The Norseal V730 is a legacy product originally used in construction and industrial markets. It has evolved and been reformulated to incorporate more sustainability-focused improvements, such as the removal of phthalates plasticizers and a 45% increase in its bio-based formulation.

How does reformulating products like V730 facilitate valuable conversations with current or prospective customers?

Plasticizers are common in flexible PVC as they provide necessary flexibility, but concerns have emerged regarding phthalate plasticizers, especially in consumer and medical sectors due to potential endocrine and metabolic disruptors. Our R&D teams recognized this concern and improved the formulation. This reformulation demonstrates our commitment to developing more bio-based products while ensuring trusted performance, reinforcing our collaborative approach with customers.

The synergy between the rich history of our manufacturing sites and our forward-looking vision is powerful. The legacy and adaptability of key product lines such as Norseal, Norbond, and Thermalbond, coupled with ongoing initiatives like product reformulations, showcase our commitment to delivering high-performance solutions for ever-evolving markets.

As industries demand more from materials, whether for EVs, construction, energy, or other high-tech applications, the Tape Solutions team is not just keeping pace; we are setting the standard. With global resources, local capabilities, a strong customer base, and dedicated, knowledgeable employees, the future is bright. Together, we can innovate, enhance sustainable practices, and ensure that our legacy of reliability and performance grows stronger.