Core Tech: The Start of Something Big

Published: 12/12/2012

Customers seldom meet the people who comprise Franklin’s Core Tech Team.

But many of you know well the adhesives technologies that have emerged from this group – which stands at the forefront of innovation at our company.

Core Technology works behind the scenes at Franklin International, in a high-tech laboratory befitting its mission, researching advanced technologies that will make their way into product development labs at the company. Franklin formed this team of doctorate-degreed scientists and lab technicians in 1995 to “ensure the effective development, commercialization and ongoing supply of high-quality products to the customer,” says Mark Vrana, Ph.D., Franklin’s vice president, technology and quality.

“We focus on long-term development opportunities and evolving technology trends with the goal of equipping our product development teams to meet customer needs,” he adds.

In 12 short years, Core Tech has piloted numerous technology breakthroughs that ultimately materialized as first-of-their kind products. Some of the more visible accomplishments include contributions toward the development of a shelf-stable PVA wood glue that is the first, and still the only PVA wood glue to meet ANSI Type I water resistance; and the development, scale-up and optimization of the base solution polymer used in PROvantage VOC-compliant, solvent-based construction adhesives.

Customers of the Adhesives & Polymers division have Core Tech to thank for the research behind our soy PVA adhesives, used in hardwood plywood, lamination and veneering as well as hot pressing. The group also had a hand in reformulating some homopolymer products to better meet diverse bonding applications and in converting select process lines to continuous manufacturing to meet higher market demand.

“I think Core Tech is a good model for advanced-technology development,” remarked Dr. Vrana. “It strikes an equilibrium between basic research and applied research. We balance longer reach with some general applications or need in mind.”

Basic or applied, all research is conducted with the goal to advance adhesives technology on behalf of our customers. That’s core.