McClarin Composites partners with ExxonMobil to accelerate high-speed RTM

McClarin Composites (Hanover, Pa., U.S.) has announced a joint development agreement with ExxonMobil’s (Houston, Texas, U.S.) Proxxima business, aiming to accelerate the growth of high-speed, closed mold composites manufacturing. The collaboration follows McClarin’s strategic acquisition and relocation of select polyolefin thermoset molding facilities from ExxonMobile affiliate Materia Inc. earlier this year, revealed during JEC World 2024.

As part of the agreement, McClarin is making a multimillion-dollar investment in automated resin transfer molding (RTM) capabilities at its Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, facility. The company says it has partnered with top-tier RTM equipment innovators to bring advanced solutions to its manufacturing sites in Pennsylvania and Oklahoma. McClarin anticipates that these developments will enable it to become a Tier 1 OEM supplier in the mobility and construction/infrastructure sectors.

Central to this partnership is the integration of ExxonMobil’s Proxxima polyolefin thermoset system. Together, the two companies aim to develop and validate a machine-driven RTM technology that delivers cost-effective, high-performance composite solutions. The Proxxima system is distinguished by its reduced carbon footprint, which is reported to be approximately 60% lower than epoxy resins and nearly 50% lower than vinyl ester resins, based on cradle-to-gate analyses.

ExxonMobile expects the RTM technology to outperform traditional sheet molding compound (SMC) processes, producing tougher, lighter and stronger parts with reduced cycle times. The initiative aligns with growing market demands for sustainable supply chains by aiming to quantify and lower carbon emissions in composites manufacturing.

At CAMX 2024 in San Diego, ExxonMobil highlighted the compatibility of Proxxima polymers and infusion mixed plastic scrap with its Exxtend recycling recycling technology, paving the way for potential end-of-life recycling for composite materials.

“The commitment and investment that ExxonMobil has made to the composites industry since its entrance with the Proxxima platform has been incredible,” says McClarin CEO Mike Gromacki “They bring global reach, long-term vision, R&D capability and economy of scale to lift the composites industry and to open markets that had been previously inaccessible.”