Kadant Carmanah Design and Hexion Inc. have entered into a collaborative partnership to jointly advance innovation in the wood processing industry.

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SURREY, B.C., CANADA

May 28, 2025

Kadant Carmanah Design announced it is entering into a collaborative partnership with Hexion Inc., a global leader of adhesives and performance materials solutions that uses artificial intelligence to improve the manufacturing process of wood panels.  

“As the global leader of stranding equipment used in the manufacturing of oriented strand board (OSB) panel production, our collaborative partnership with Hexion and its Smartech artificial intelligence (AI) technology is the natural evolution for our flagship SmartRING strander product line and Argus smart-connected technologies platform,” said Todd Macey, president of Kadant Carmanah Design. “By integrating Hexion’s world-class AI-driven autonomous manufacturing solutions with Kadant Carmanah’s expertise in stranding equipment and technology, together we will help our OSB customers produce better quality strands, improve strander production, and prevent unexpected downtime of the strander.” 

“The benefit of this collaborative partnership for OSB producers will be the full visibility and connectivity they will now have throughout their entire manufacturing process – from the strander, to the dryer, to the blender, to the forming line, to the press,” said Michael Lefenfeld, President and CEO of Hexion. “As OSB wood rooms continue to face labor challenges and the high variability of log inventory management, Hexion’s advanced AI and machine learning technology will help stabilize the quality of strands from the strander. As a result, OSB producers will see reduced variability in downstream processes such as drying, blending, forming, and pressing, ultimately improving overall mill efficiency.”  

Hexion's Smartech division, which Hexion acquired in 2024, uses artificial intelligence to improve the manufacturing process for wood panels. The product line includes software and systems solutions such as SmartPress and recently announced SmartQuality, each providing a unique approach to resin application that increases efficiency and product quality, as well as autonomous manufacturing systems, which utilize machine learning to optimize productivity in the wood panel industry.  

The Kadant Carmanah SmartRING Strander is the global leader in processing logs into strands for OSB production. Combined with Kadant Carmanah’s Argus smart-connected technologies, OSB producers now have real-time access to accurate trending data for log throughput, production uptime, and strand quality from the strander.

About Hexion

Hexion is a leading global producer of adhesives and performance materials solutions. The company provides specialty products and solutions for customers in diverse industries, including construction, agriculture, energy, automotive, and infrastructure protection. With over a century of expertise, Hexion is committed to advancing sustainable solutions that preserve natural resources and address the challenges of a changing climate. Learn more at hexion.com.

About Smartech

Founded in 2005 and serving customers across North and South America, Europe and APAC, Smartech is a technology leader specializing in AI-driven manufacturing solutions that optimize efficiency, sustainability, and production quality. Its innovative tools are trusted by top-tier customers worldwide, transforming traditional manufacturing processes and setting new standards in digital automation. Learn more at smartech.com.

About Kadant Carmanah Design

Kadant Carmanah Design, located in Surrey,B.C. Canada, designs and manufactures equipment for the panel and engineered wood products and sawmill industries. Providing leading-edge technology and equipment to optimize fiber use to produce wood-based panels, Kadant Carmanah's products include SmartRING stranders, SmartDISC stranders, rotary debarkers, ARGUS Smart-Connected Technologies, and chippers. For more information, visit kadantcarmanah.com.

Safe Harbor Statement

The following constitutes a “Safe Harbor” statement under the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995: This press release contains forward-looking statements that involve a number of risks and uncertainties, including forward-looking statements about ourcustomers, products, operations, and markets. These forward-looking statements represent our expectations as of the date of this press release. We undertake no obligation to publicly update any forward-looking statement, whether as a result of new information, future events, or otherwise. These forward-lookingstatements are subject to known and unknown risks and uncertainties that maycause our actual results to differ materially from these forward-lookingstatements as a result of various important factors, including those set forthunder the heading "Risk Factors" in Kadant’s annual report on Form10-K for the fiscal year ended December 28, 2024 and subsequent filings withthe Securities and Exchange Commission.

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Launched at LIGNA 2025, SmartQuality improvesefficiency and elevates product quality by enabling mill operators to makereal-time decisions

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Hannover, Germany

26 May 2025

Hexion, aglobal leader in adhesives and AI technologies for wood panel manufacturing, today introduced SmartQuality, the newest product in their suite of industry leading AI-powered tools to address persistent challenges in wood panel manufacturing. Developed with Smartech, an autonomous manufacturing leader acquired by Hexion in 2024, SmartQualitytargets the long-standing industry dilemma of having to choose between line speedand quality—delivering advanced data-driven insights that minimize thesetrade-offs.

SmartQuality provides operators with a real-time view of board quality, enabling improved performance that can lead to an estimated 3% increase in line speed. Inaddition, AI continuously learns from each board produced, further enhancing operational efficiency and product consistency over time. By giving operators more control with real-time data, quality assurance improves, boosting board quality and reducing raw material used.

“With SmartQuality, we’re redefining what’s possible in wood panel manufacturing by leveraging AI solutions to drive faster, more precise, and more sustainable operations,” said Michael Lefenfeld, President and CEO of Hexion. “This technology merges data intelligence with cutting-edge materials science to enable targeted,actionable insights that can transform production floors and elevate overall mill performance.”

SmartQuality was officially launched at LIGNA 2025, the premier international conference for woodworking and wood processing, held this week in Hannover, Germany.

SmartQuality marks another pivotal step in Hexion’s strategic transformation from a materials provider to a full-service partner delivering differentiated solutions—a journey underway since its 2022 acquisition by American Securities. Today, the 150-year-old company is integrating AI into industrial chemistry and manufacturing to position itself for another century of market leadership, operational excellence and innovative services that disrupt the status quo.  

For more information about SmartQuality and Hexion’s LIGNA 2025 presence, please visit www.hexion.com/ligna.

About Hexion

Hexion is a leading global producer of adhesives and performance materials solutions. The company provides specialty products and solutions for customers in diverse industries, including construction, agriculture, energy, automotive, and infrastructure protection. With over a century of expertise, Hexion is committed to advancing sustainable solutions that preserve natural resources and address the challenges of a changing climate. Learn more at www.hexion.com.

About Smartech

Founded in 2005 and serving customers across North and South America, Europe and APAC, Smartech is a technology leader specializing in AI-driven manufacturing solutions that optimize efficiency, sustainability, and production quality. Its innovative tools are trusted by top-tier customers worldwide, transforming traditional manufacturing processes and setting new standards in digital automation. Learn more at https://www.smartech.com

At its first joint industry appearance with Smartech, Hexion CEO will present keynote as company launches new products set to redefine efficiency, sustainability, and digital integration

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Hannover, Germany

8 May 2025

Hexion, a global leader in adhesives and performance materials, will take the spotlight at LIGNA 2025, the five-day global conference for woodworking and wood processing in Hannover, Germany taking place 26 May to 30 May. With the wood panel industry now at a pivotal inflection point, Hexion will showcase how it is positioned to redefine performance, efficiency, and sustainability in this mature manufacturing sector by integrating next-gen chemistry, artificial intelligence,and advanced manufacturing technologies.

“The wood panel industry is at a critical inflection point–where speed, sustainability, and performance can’t be trade-offs anymore,” said Michael Lefenfeld, CEO of Hexion. “The mill of the future won’t be defined by incremental gains, but by bold shifts indesign, production, and optimization. At Hexion, we’re combining AI, chemistry,and engineering to eliminate inefficiencies that were once accepted as the cost of doing business, and LIGNA is the ideal platform to share this vision with the industry.”

Hexion’s activities at LIGNA will include:

- A keynote address on Monday, 26 May at 16:00 by Lefenfeld, “Revolutionizing Wood Panels: Why the Future Runs Through AI” in Hall 12, booth A16. The presentation will delve into how AI is radically reshaping panel production, from more precise resin and wax delivery to full-scale process automation that unlocks throughput, maximizes raw material efficiency, and slashes waste.

- The launch of breakthrough technologies including an AI-powered optimization platform developed with Smartech to dramatically reduce waste, maximize raw material efficiency, and elevate product quality.

- On-site access at Hexion’s booth, located in Hall 26 at Stand D77, where company executives will be available for briefings and one-on-one meetings as well as providing company and product overviews.

The company’s presence showcases Hexion’s continuing evolution from materials supplier to full-service innovation partner, now delivering AI-enabled solutions across the manufacturing value chain.

“AI transformed finance and logistics—now it’s manufacturing’s turn,” said Michael Lefenfeld, CEO of Hexion. “By combining data intelligence with chemistry and machine automation, we’re looking to unlock real gains where it matters most: throughput, material efficiency, and product quality. With wood panel manufacturing long underserved by digital transformation, this isn’t just progress—it’s a leap forward.”

To learn more about Hexion and Smartech presence at LIGNA, please visit www.hexion.com/ligna.

About Hexion

Hexion is a leading global producer of adhesives and performance materials solutions. The company provides specialty products and solutions for customers in diverse industries, including construction, agriculture, energy, automotive, and infrastructure protection. With over a century of expertise, Hexion is committed to advancing sustainable solutions that preserve natural resources and address the challenges of a changing climate. Learn more at www.hexion.com.

About Smartech

Founded in 2005 and serving customers across North and South America, Europe and APAC, Smartech is a technology leader specializing in AI-driven manufacturing solutions that optimize efficiency, sustainability, and production quality. Its innovative tools are trusted by top-tier customers worldwide, transforming traditional manufacturing processes and setting new standards in digital automation. Learn more at https://www.smartech.com

TEL AVIV, ISRAEL

March 11, 2025

SMARTECH, a leading hi-tech company specializing in cutting-edge systems for the traditional manufacturing sector, and ANDRITZ, a world-renowned provider of industrial process technologies, are proud to announce a major milestone in their collaboration: the local production of SMARTWAX ECO Systems at ANDRITZ’s state-of-the-art workshop in China.

As part of this initiative, a third SMARTWAX ECO System will be delivered to Fenglin MDF factory in Chizhou, further expanding the adoption of this cost-efficient and green technology in the Chinese wood-based panel industry. The system will be the first SMARTWAX ECO unit fully assembled in China, leveraging ANDRITZ’s advanced production capabilities that meet European quality standards. This localization ensures faster delivery, reduced costs, and greater accessibility for manufacturers in the region.

SMARTWAX ECO is SMARTECH’s patented in-line wax suspension system, designed to significantly reduce wax consumption in wood-based panel production. The technology enables manufacturers to lower production costs and improve board quality, addressing critical industry challenges such as environmental impact, volatile raw material prices and supply chain pressures.

SMARTECH’s innovative savings-sharing model allows manufacturers to adopt SMARTWAX ECO with minimal upfront investment while paying through realized cost savings, improving cash flow and accelerating ROI.

Hans Prettner, VP APAC and Europe at SMARTECH, highlighted the importance of this collaboration: "This is a significant step for SMARTECH, ANDRITZ, and the wood-based panel industry in China. The ability to produce SMARTWAX ECO locally means that manufacturers can access a high-performance solution with faster delivery times."

Hanoch Magid, CEO of SMARTECH, added: "By combining ANDRITZ’s world-class manufacturing capabilities with our cutting-edge technology and savings-sharing model, we are making it easier for manufacturers to enhance efficiency, sustainability, and profitability with minimal risk. Seeing the first locally produced system delivered to Fenglin Group a trusted industry leader validates the impact and necessity of this solution."

Raphael Eichinger, Business Development Manager China at ANDRITZ commented: "We are excited to support the expansion of SMARTWAX ECO in China by leveraging our advanced production facilities. Producing this system locally ensures that our customers receive a world-class solution with reduced costs and faster lead times. We look forward to continuing our collaboration with SMARTECH to drive further advancements in green manufacturing."

Wei Xinggang, APAC Senior Vice President at ANDRITZ stated: “We can proudly say that this cooperation project with SMARTECH, shows that with our team’s sharp grasp of the Chinese market and a deep dive into customer challenges, we could successfully develop an advanced localized solution that meets the customers' sustainable development needs for cost reduction and efficiency enhancement. This cooperation not only demonstrates the customers' trust in the ANDRITZ brand but also reflects the company's innovation and influence in the high-end equipment market.”

With this milestone, SMARTECH and ANDRITZ reaffirm their commitment to driving sustainable innovation and operational excellence in the wood-based panel industry, ensuring manufacturers in China and beyond can benefit from advanced, cost-effective, and eco-friendly production solutions.

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About SMARTECH

SMARTECH, recently named "Smart Manufacturing Company of the Year" at the prestigious 2025 IoT Breakthrough Awards, is a pioneering hi-tech company that provides game-changing technologies to the global manufacturing industry. SMARTECH revolutionizes traditional manufacturing by reducing raw materials use and unleashing the latent potential of data with AI/ML technologies to help industries upgrade their plants to smart factories by transforming existing production lines into high-performing, autonomous, data-driven and sustainable assets.

SMARTECH, today a Hexion company, is headquartered in Israel, with a presence in the USA, Canada, Europe, Asia and Latin America.

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About ANDRITZ

ANDRITZ is a global market leader in industrial process technologies and services with a focus on increased production efficiency, lower overall operating costs as well as innovative decarbonization strategies and autonomous plant operation. ANDRITZ Pulp & Paper provides sustainable technology, automation, and service solutions for the production of all types of pulp, paper, board and tissue. The product portfolio also includes boilers for power generation, various nonwoven technologies, and panelboard (MDF) production systems.

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For media and press inquiries, please contact:

Nathalie Vaknin, VP Marketing
SMARTECH - A Hexion Company
+972 54-760-7024
nathalie.vaknin@smartech.com

TEL AVIV, ISRAEL

February 27, 2025

SMARTECH, a leading hi-tech company specializing in advanced engineered systems that optimize raw material use, is pleased to announce a new order from Fenglin Group, a prominent wood-based panel manufacturer in China, for an additional SMARTWAX System for its particle board factory in Qinzhou.

This repeat order underscores Fenglin’s confidence in SMARTWAX system and its ability to drive significant cost savings while enhancing sustainability in wood product manufacturing. With its SMARTWAX System already in operation, Fenglin continues to scale up the adoption of SMARTECH’s patented in-line wax suspension technology to optimize production efficiency and mitigate rising material costs.

SMARTWAX enables wood-based panel manufacturers to significantly reduce wax consumption, leading to lower production costs while maintaining or even improving board quality. As a result, manufacturers benefit from a rapid return on investment(ROI) and improved supply chain stability, especially in a volatile raw materials market.

Mr Gao Feng Wang, CEO of Fenglin Wood Industry Group said: “At Fenglin, we are committed to not only achieving financial success but also upholding our responsibility as a corporate citizen. By continuously investing in advanced technologies like SMARTWAX, we enhance our manufacturing efficiency while minimizing environmental impact. This aligns with our long-term vision of sustainable growth, ensuring responsible resource use and a positive contribution to our communities.”  

In response to this order, Hans Prettner, SMARTECH’s VP APAC and Europe, stated: "We are delighted that Fenglin Group has once again chosen SMARTWAX to support their operational efficiency and sustainability goals. Their decision to expand SMARTWAX installations reaffirms the strong results and trust built over our partnership."

Hanoch Magid, CEO of SMARTECH, added: "The growing adoption of SMARTWAX, SMARTMDI and AI-driven Autonomous Manufacturing solutions in Asia, highlights the urgent need for smart, cost-effective solutions in the wood-based panel industry. We are proud to work alongside Fenglin and look forward to continuing to deliver outstanding value through our cutting-edge solutions, including our AI-driven Autonomous Manufacturing technologies."

About SMARTECH – a Hexion company

SMARTECH, recently named "Smart Manufacturing Company of the Year" at the prestigious 2025 IoT Breakthrough Awards, is a pioneering hi-tech company that provides game-changing technologies to the global manufacturing industry. SMARTECH revolutionizes traditional manufacturing by reducing raw materials use and unleashing the latent potential of data with AI/ML technologies to help industries upgrade their plants to smart factories by transforming existing production lines into high-performing, autonomous, data-driven and sustainable assets. SMARTECH is headquartered in Israel, with a presence in the USA, Canada, Europe, Asia and Latin America.

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For media and press inquiries, please contact:

Nathalie Vaknin, VP Marketing
SMARTECH - A Hexion Company
+972 54-760-7024
nathalie.vaknin@smartech.com‍

TEL AVIV, ISRAEL

February 12, 2025

SMARTECH, a global leader in AI-powered industrial solutions, is honored to be named “Smart Manufacturing Company of the Year” at the prestigious 2025 IoT Breakthrough Awards. This recognition underscores SMARTECH’s pioneering role in advancing autonomous manufacturing through AI and IoT-driven innovation.

The IoT Breakthrough Awards program celebrates the world’s most innovative companies, technologies, and products transforming the Internet of Things (IoT) ecosystem. With thousands of nominations across categories such as Industrial IoT, Smart Cities, and AI-driven automation, the awards highlight groundbreaking contributions shaping the future of digital transformation.

Revolutionizing Manufacturing with AI/ML Technologies

SMARTECH’s proprietary AI/ML-powered autonomous manufacturing technology seamlessly integrates real-time IoT data with advanced analytics, enabling manufacturers to:

- Optimize production processes for increased efficiency and reduced downtime

- Enhance precision and quality control through real-time decision-making

- Drive sustainability and resource efficiency with intelligent automation

“This award reinforces SMARTECH’s position as a key player in shaping the future of smart manufacturing,” said Hanoch Magid, CEO of SMARTECH. “Our AI-driven solutions empower manufacturers to stay competitive in a rapidly evolving industry by unlocking new levels of efficiency, productivity, and sustainability.”

“Our mission at SMARTECH is to revolutionize traditional manufacturing through AI and IoT innovations,” added Nathalie Vaknin, VP of Marketing at SMARTECH “This recognition underscores our commitment to empowering manufacturers with smarter, more sustainable production solutions.”

About SMARTECH
SMARTECH is a pioneering hi-tech company that provides game-changing technologies to the global manufacturing industry. SMARTECH revolutionizes traditional manufacturing by reducing raw materials use and unleashing the latent potential of data, to help industries upgrade their plants to smart and autonomous factories by transforming existing production lines into high-performing, data-driven and sustainable assets. SMARTECH – today A Hexion Company is headquartered in Israel, with a presence in the USA, Canada, Europe, Asia and Latin America.

For more information about the IoT Breakthrough Awards, please visit their website. https://iotbreakthrough.com/

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For media and press inquiries, please contact:

Nathalie Vaknin, VP Marketing
SMARTECH - A Hexion Company
+972 54-760-7024
nathalie.vaknin@smartech.com‍

TEL AVIV, ISRAEL

February 4, 2025

Siempelkamp in partnership with SMARTECH, proudly presented their innovative Prod-IQ · SmartPress solution for autonomous production lines at the prestigious European Wood-Based Panel Symposium (EPF) in Hamburg and China International Furniture Machinery & Woodworking Machinery Fair (WMF) in Shanghai. This groundbreaking solution is designed to transform production processes, enhancing efficiency, automation, and allowing autonomous decision-making capabilities in wood-based panel manufacturing.

The co-presentation showcased how the Prod-IQ · SmartPress software integrates AI/ML cutting-edge technology and advanced analytics to optimize pressing lines in real time, contributing to the future of fully autonomous production environments.

Gregor Bernardy, Head of Industrial IT & Data Analytics at Siempelkamp: "Siempelkamp chose to partner with SMARTECH because of their combined expertise in industrial engineering and AI technology. Our joint product, Prod-IQ · SmartPress, is in its mature stage and ready for immediate implementation. The enthusiasm we received at the European Wood-Based Panel Symposium reflects how deeply the industry recognizes the readiness and impact of our product."

“Our collaboration with Siempelkamp on this project has been a tremendous success,” adds Oren Yahav, AI Director at SMARTECH. “It was an amazing opportunity to demonstrate the potential ofProd-IQ · SmartPress to European industry leaders and experts at the Symposium, highlighting how autonomous processes can enhance production efficiency and consistency.”

Hansjoerg Prettner, VP of Sales at SMARTECH, concluded: "The feedback from customers at EPF was remarkable. They were eager to understand how quickly they could integrate Prod-IQ · SmartPress into their own lines. It’s clear that the market is ready for this level of autonomy, and our customers are excited about the operational and efficiency gains it offers. Their questions were not about ‘if’ but ‘when’ they could start benefiting from it."

Prod-IQ · SmartPress also set milestones at the China International Furniture Machinery & Woodworking Machinery Fair (WMF) in Shanghai. This trade fair focuses on intelligent and innovative production technologies. Here, Prod-IQ · SmartPress was awarded the “Innovation Exhibit” -a recognition of our commitment to technological innovation”, says Gregor Bernardy.

Conclusion of the two trade fairs: The feedback from industry participants reinforces SMARTECH and Siempelkamp in their commitment to innovation and sustainability in the production of wood-based panels.

About Siempelkamp

As a technology provider for machinery and equipment, casting and nuclear technology the Siempelkamp group has an international footprint. We are a system supplier of press lines and complete plants for the wood-based panel industry, metal forming, as well as the composites and rubber industries. With one of the world’s largest hand-molding foundries, we manufacture large cast parts at our Krefeld location; these have a total unit weight of up to 320 t. We also provide transport and storage containers for radioactive waste, and specialize in the dismantling of nuclear plants. The wood-based panel industry forms one of our central markets and our core competence: We cover the entire production process for wood-based panels – from round log and raw material handling up to storage and handling solutions for the finished wood-based panels as well as new approaches of machine learning. We provide our customers with comprehensive after sales & service throughout the entire life cycle of their plant.

About SMARTECH

SMARTECH is a pioneering hi-tech company that provides game-changing technologies to the global manufacturing industry. SMARTECH revolutionizes traditional manufacturing by reducing raw materials use and unleashing the latent potential of data, and helps industries upgrade their plants to smart and autonomous factories by transforming existing production lines into high-performing, data-driven and sustainable assets. SMARTECH – A Hexion Company is headquartered in Israel, with a presence in the USA, Canada, Europe, Asia and Latin America.

For media and press inquiries, please contact:

Nathalie Vaknin, VP Marketing
SMARTECH - A Hexion Company
+972 54-760-7024
nathalie.vaknin@smartech.com

COLUMBUS,OHIO‍

December 3, 2024

Hexion Inc., a global leader of adhesives and performance materials solutions, today announced its acquisition of Smartech, a cutting-edge technology company at the forefront of AI-driven autonomous manufacturing solutions. This strategic acquisition, Hexion's first in a decade, marks a bold step in the company’s strategy to revolutionize the manufacturing ecosystem, harnessing cutting-edge AI and machine learning technology to drive unprecedented gains in production efficiency, cost, sustainability, and product quality—in the wood processing industry and beyond.

 “This a defining moment for Hexion as we integrate Smartech’s world-class artificial intelligence and automated manufacturing capabilities with our unmatched expertise in resins and wood processing,” said Michael Lefenfeld, President and CEO of Hexion. "As global manufacturing industries continue to grapple with rising raw material costs, supply chain pressures, and environmental changes, Hexion’s investment in AI-driven innovation positions us at the forefront of smart manufacturing. With this technology, Hexion and Smartech will help customers optimize production, reduce waste and deliver superior quality, all while spurring sustainable growth.

 "Our partnership with Hexion will further amplify the reach and impact of Smartech’s AI technologies across the globe, bringing immediate value to manufacturers who must balance the challenges of cost control, plant modernization, and environmental responsibility,” added Hanoch Magid, CEO of Smartech. “With a shared commitment to sustainable innovation, Hexion and Smartech are poised to lead the way to deliver AI-powered solutions that redefine industry standards and foster a more resilient, environmentally-responsible manufacturing sector.”

Smartech’s award-winning AI and autonomous manufacturing technologies combine artificial intelligence, advanced control systems, and process optimization algorithms to drive critical process improvements for customers. The engineered systems, including SmartWAX, SmartPF, and SmartMDI, integrate seamlessly with Hexion's product portfolio, strengthening the company’s leadership in the adhesives, construction, and building materials sectors.

One of Smartech’s flagship innovations, the patented SmartMDI system, exemplifies the potential of this new alliance. By using dynamic chemistry control to allow for more precise resin application in engineered wood production, SmartMDI enhances surface coverage and reactivity, reduces raw materials cost, and lowers VOC emissions. The ability to generate significant cost savings—more than 15% per mill—SmartMDI demonstrates its power to deliver environmental and economic value in manufacturing.

This acquisition also aligns with Hexion’s 5-year transformation journey under the stewardship of American Securities, which took ownership in 2022.The move amplifies Hexion’s long-term vision to deliver short-term value gains while simultaneously positioning the 150-year-old company for its next century of market leadership via a renewed focus on innovation, operational excellence and partnerships that turn bold ideas into real-world solutions.

 The financial terms of the Smartech acquisition were not disclosed. Smartech will continue to operate as an independent business entity servicing its customers as it does currently.

About Hexion  

Hexion is a leading global producer of adhesives and performance materials solutions. The company provides specialty products and solutions for customers in diverse industries, including construction, agriculture, energy, automotive, and infrastructure protection. With over a century of expertise, Hexion is committed to advancing sustainable solutions that preserve natural resources and address the challenges of a changing climate. Learn more at www.hexion.com.

About Smartech  

Founded in 2005 and serving customers across North and South America, Europe and APAC, Smartech is a technology leader specializing in AI-driven manufacturing solutions that optimize efficiency, sustainability, and production quality. Its innovative tools are trusted by top-tier customers worldwide, transforming traditional manufacturing processes and setting new standards in digital automation. Learn more at https://www.smartech.com.

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TEL AVIV, ISRAEL

September 3, 2024

SMARTECH is proud to announce that it has been selected as a finalist at the prestigious ICIS Innovation Awards 2024 with its breakthrough raw material system, SMARTMDI that helps wood-based panel manufacturers to reduce MDI resin use, cut costs and lower environmental impact.

SMARTECH is shortlisted in “The Best Process Innovation” category that gives entrants a chance to show how innovative and sustainable they are in the fundamental areas of new process development and process improvement – vital areas of innovation underlying better use of energy and raw materials, improved economics, safer performance, and reduce environmental impact.

Hanoch Magid, CEO of SMARTECH, expressed his pride in this achievement: "It is an honor to be a finalist in the ICIS Innovation Awards 2024 in such a competitive and challenging year. This recognition highlights SMARTECH's commitment to groundbreaking innovation and sustainability in the traditional manufacturing sector. SMARTECH's selection as a finalist is a testament to the exceptional capabilities of SMARTECH’s technology solutions."

Ira Glazer, Director of Science, added: "The patented SMARTMDI system, part of SMARTECH's portfolio, is designed to dramatically increase the efficiency of raw materials consumption. SMARTECH is helping manufacturers achieve profitability and sustainability goals while breaking current raw material consumption paradigms that assume that a significant raw materials reduction is impossible. We are also delighted with the feedback we have received from partners and customers which has been extraordinary.”

The winner of the ICIS Innovation Awards 2024 will be announced later this year. SMARTECH looks forward to the announcement and is optimistic about the future impact of its innovations on the manufacturing industry.

Learn more about SMARTECH’s innovations, and award-winning products and technology on smartech.com.

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About the ICIS Innovation Awards

The ICIS Innovation Awards celebrate and reward companies that lead the way in product, process, and digital innovations, with a strong emphasis on sustainability. The awards aim to recognize and reward sustainability, creativity, and vision within the chemicals industry.

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About ICIS

ICIS - Independent Commodity Intelligence Services - helps businesses through seamlessly delivering data and analytics, across the chemical, fertilizer and energy markets.

Our independent, transparent market intelligence informs thousands of quality decisions every day, taking the pressure out of negotiations and giving customers space for more innovative thinking, through published datasets including price assessments, price forecasts, supply and demand fundamentals and more.

Over 150 years of shaping the world by connecting markets to optimise the world's valuable resources. With a global team of more than 750 experts, ICIS has employees based in London, New York, Houston, Karlsruhe, Milan, Mumbai, Singapore, Guangzhou, Beijing, Shanghai, Dubai, Sao Paulo, Seoul, Tokyo and Perth.

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About SMARTECH

SMARTECH is a pioneering hi-tech company that provides game-changing technologies to the global manufacturing industry. SMARTECH revolutionizes traditional manufacturing by unleashing the latent potential of data and raw materials impacting production processes, and helping industries upgrade their plants to smart, autonomous factories by transforming existing production lines into high-performing, data-driven and sustainable assets.

SMARTECH - Manewfacturing™ Technologies has a presence in the USA, Canada, Europe, Asia and Latin America.

For more information about SMARTECH solutions, visit www.smartech.com.

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For media and press inquiries, please contact:

Nathalie Vaknin, VP Marketing
SMARTECH Manewfacturing™ Technologies
+972 54-760-7024
nathalie.vaknin@smartech.com

BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS, UNITED STATES

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July 3, 2024

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SMARTECH, a leader in delivering groundbreaking technologies to the industrial sector and pioneering autonomous production capabilities, is excited to announce the global adoption of its MANEWFACTURING™ trademark. This trademark has been recognized in various regions worldwide, including the USA, Europe, China, Australia, Japan and recently Brazil.

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“We believe the MANEWFACTURING™ brand name accurately represents SMARTECH’s vision of cutting-edge, technology-driven production,” said Hanoch Magid, SMARTECH’s CEO. “The traditional manufacturing sector is undergoing a transformation into an advanced MANEWFACTURING™ domain. With our digital AI Autonomous Manufacturing platform and Raw Materials Systems deployed across five continents, SMARTECH is well-positioned to lead this evolution.”

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Hanoch Magid added, “The manufacturing sector is one of the largest in the global economy. We are confident that companies leveraging MANEWFACTURING™ technologies will outperform those that do not. Moreover, they will attract tech talents who are currently inclined towards the high-tech sector.”

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About SMARTECH

SMARTECH is a pioneering hi-tech company that provides game-changing technologies to the global manufacturing industry. SMARTECH revolutionizes traditional manufacturing by unleashing the latent potential of data impacting raw materials and processes, and helping industries upgrade their plants to smart, autonomous factories by transforming existing production lines into high-performing, data-driven and sustainable assets.

SMARTECH - Manewfacturing™ Technologies has a presence in the USA, Canada, Europe, Asia and Latin America. For more information about SMARTECH solutions, visit www.smartech.com.

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For media and press inquiries, please contact:

Nathalie Vaknin, VP Marketing
SMARTECH Manewfacturing™ Technologies
+972 54-760-7024
nathalie.vaknin@smartech.com

TEL AVIV, ISRAEL

May 27, 2024

SMARTECH is proud to announce that it has completed the installation and commissioning of the first SMARTMDI water-based MDI suspension system at a US OSB mill. SMARTMDI is an innovative industry-first MDI resin suspension system that reduces MDI consumption by more than 15% while keeping board properties equal or better.‍

SMARTMDI is a proprietary engineered solution whereby MDI resin is dispersed in a water phase and delivered at low viscosity and with lower volatility to the wood substrate. The superior distribution of MDI allows a reduction in the amount of MDI resin needed to bind the wood strands. SMARTMDI integrates seamlessly with existing production lines. This step-change reduction in MDI consumption will turbocharge wider adoption of MDI resin, which is recognized as the best-performing wood binder. Furthermore, MDI meets no-added-formaldehyde labeling requirements and the reduced resin use in boards matches perfectly with sustainability considerations.‍

Ira Glazer, SMARTECH Director of Science said “We are very pleased to have unequivocally validated this technology at industrial scale. The path from idea generation to on-site operation is not trivial and is a testament to the vision and subsequent dedication of all those who had a hand in bringing SMARTMDI to fruition.”‍

Hanoch Magid, SMARTECH CEO said “We are deeply satisfied to have reached this critical milestone for SMARTMDI. We have demonstrated MDI cost savings on a full-scale OSB production line while simultaneously improving panel properties. This is a significant moment for manufacturers who use MDI resin whereby an almost immediate drop in expenditure for raw inputs is attainable. This goes conjointly with our newly introduced SMARTPF system and acclaimed Autonomous Manufacturing platform. We look forward to supplying wood-based panel manufacturers with this breakthrough technology.”‍

About SMARTECH‍
SMARTECH is a pioneering hi-tech company that provides game-changing technologies to the global manufacturing industry. SMARTECH revolutionizes traditional manufacturing by reducing raw material use and unleashing the latent potential of data, and helps industries upgrade their plants to smart, autonomous factories by transforming existing production lines into high-performing, data-driven and sustainable assets. SMARTECH, Manewfacturing™ Technologies is headquartered in Israel, with a presence in the USA, Canada, Europe, Asia, and Latin America.‍

For more information about SMARTECH solutions, visit http://www.smartech.com‍

For media and press inquiries, please contact:
Nathalie Vaknin, VP Marketing
SMARTECH Manewfacturing™ Technologies
+972 54-760-7024
nathalie.vaknin@smartech.com

TEL AVIV, ISRAEL

April 11, 2024

SMARTECH and Walker Industries are pleased to announce they have completed the first SMARTWAX System installation of 2024 at an OSB mill located in the United States. This is a demonstration of the successful partnership between SMARTECH, a technology provider to the traditional manufacturing sector, and Walker Industries, a trusted supplier to multiple traditional industrial sectors.

Walker’s Emulsions division has a long pedigree of supporting engineered wood product manufacturers with superior products and services. Walker is the exclusive distributor of SMARTWAX Systems in North America.

SMARTWAX is the renown wax suspension technology from SMARTECH, which delivers critical water resistance to wood-based panels at lower cost than many wax emulsions and molten waxes for wood-based panels.

The seamless partnership between SMARTECH and Walker has led to the successful delivery on-schedule of the SMARTWAX System to a leading OSB manufacturer in North America. Hanoch Magid, SMARTECH CEO, said: “We are pleased to start 2024 with a smooth and successful commissioning of another SMARTWAX System. The excellent quality and deep cost savings are excellent propositions during a time when the general market conditions are cloudy. SMARTWAX will contribute meaningfully to managing raw material costs while ensuring rigid quality specifications are met.”

Larry Sinnige, Director of Innovation & Product Development at Walker, said “We are proud to have completed the commissioning of the SMARTWAX System and to support our wood-based panel customers with SMARTECH’s renown technology. I would like to take this opportunity to congratulate all involved in this successful installation! We look forward to continuing to provide value to wood-panel manufacturers.”

About SMARTECH

SMARTECH is a pioneering hi-tech company that provides game-changing technologies to the global manufacturing industry. SMARTECH revolutionizes traditional manufacturing by reducing raw material use and unleashing the latent potential of data, and helps industries upgrade their plants to smart, autonomous factories by transforming existing production lines into high-performing, data-driven and sustainable assets. SMARTECH, Manewfacturing™ Technologies is headquartered in Israel, with a presence in the USA, Canada, Europe, Asia, and Latin America.

For more information about SMARTECH solutions, visit http://www.smartech.com

‍About Walker Industries

Walker Industries is a fifth generation, family-owned Canadian company that has operated from its base in the Niagara Region for more than 130 years. With facilities across Canada and the United States the company employs more than 1,200 people in environmental waste management and recovery, renewable energy, paving and construction, aggregates, and emulsions. For more information about Walker, visit walkerind.com.

For media and press inquiries, please contact:

Nathalie Vaknin, VP Marketing
SMARTECH Manewfacturing™ Technologies
+972 54-760-7024
nathalie.vaknin@smartech.com

TEL AVIV, ISRAEL,

April 8, 2024 ‍

SMARTECH is proud to announce that it has been awarded today for the second time consecutively by People and Computers in its annual competition for IT Excellence in the category of Digital Transformation and Innovation for its implementation of Autonomous Manewfacturing™ software at an American manufacturing facility.

SMARTECH won the award for the implementation of AI modules on the OT stack for an American wood-based panel manufacturer. This project delivered substantial efficiency improvements to the manufacturing customer that brought a direct impact to their bottom line and led to additional projects across their enterprise.This is the second year in a row that SMARTECH has won an award for its breakthrough autonomous manufacturing platform for the manufacturing sector. The AI-based solution autonomously drives critical production equipment while improving throughput and quality while lowering costs.

Hanoch Magid, SMARTECH CEO said “We are very pleased to have won this award two years in a row. The positive response from the market, our customers and partners is the strongest testament that there is demand for cutting-edge AI-based technology from the manufacturing sector. Our deeply innovative Autonomous Manewfacturing™ platform supercharges performance improvements across line capacity, stability, quality and costs. This speaks to manufacturers who face a challenging business environment and have found a way to achieve further growth with SMARTECH’s solutions.”

About SMARTECH

SMARTECH is a pioneering hi-tech company that provides game-changing technologies to the global manufacturing industry. SMARTECH revolutionizes traditional manufacturing by reducing raw material use and unleashing the latent potential of data, and helps industries upgrade their plants to smart, autonomous factories by transforming existing production lines into high-performing, data-driven and sustainable assets. SMARTECH, Manewfacturing™ Technologies is headquartered in Israel, with a presence in the USA, Canada, Europe, Asia, and Latin America.For more information about SMARTECH solutions, visit http://www.smartech.comAbout People & Computers IT AwardsPeople & Computers hosts an annual awards event to acknowledge outstanding IT projects involving Israeli companies. The jury is made up of a group of distinguished industry representatives who select the top projects which showcases the depth and breadth of industry accomplishments. For more information, see https://www.pc.co.il/

‍For media and press inquiries, please contact:

Nathalie Vaknin, VP Marketing
SMARTECH Manewfacturing™ Technologies
+972 54-760-7024
nathalie.vaknin@smartech.com

Tel Aviv, March 20, 2024

‍

SMARTECH presented a keynote address on the Revolutionary Impact of AI for the Wood Industry at the Panel & Engineered Lumber International Conference & Expo (PELICE) on March 15 in Atlanta, Georgia to great acclaim. The talk, given by SMARTECH’s AI Director Oren Yahav, was received with vivid interest by wood-based panel manufacturers and vendors to the sector.

At a time when Artificial Intelligence breakthroughs are capturing the public’s attention, the opportunities for early adopters in manufacturing have never been starker. AI tools for manufacturing bring improved productivity, lower costs, more consistent stability, and a range of other benefits that will give adopters a structural edge versus the competition. Following further SMARTECH conversations with PELICE participants, the prospects for additional business growth powered by AI was a common theme.

Oren Yahav, AI Director at SMARTECH said “The enthusiasm in the crowd was palpable. There were many follow-up questions after the talk which were a clear indication that AI is of immense interest with a promising set of opportunities. We look forward to supporting many of these manufacturers as they embrace closed-loop process control.”SMARTECH is the first company to offer AI-based closed-loop real-time process control to wood-based panel manufacturers under the Autonomous Manewfacturing™ framework. With systems’ installations completed successfully, SMARTECH is leading the way for the wood-based panel sector to enter the age of AI.

To watch Oren Yahav’s presentation at PELICE 2024, click here.

About SMARTECH

SMARTECH is a pioneering hi-tech company that provides game-changing technologies to the global manufacturing industry. SMARTECH revolutionizes traditional manufacturing by reducing raw material use and unleashing the latent potential of data, and helps industries upgrade their plants to smart, autonomous factories by transforming existing production lines into high-performing, data-driven and sustainable assets. SMARTECH, Manewfacturing™ Technologies is headquartered in Israel, with a presence in the USA, Canada, Europe, Asia, and Latin America.

For more information about SMARTECH solutions, visit http://www.smartech.com

‍For media and press inquiries, please contact:

Ms. Nathalie Vaknin, VP Marketing
SMARTECH Manewfacturing™ Technologies
+972 54-760-7024
nathalie.vaknin@smartech.com

Tel Aviv, 5 March 2024

‍

SMARTECH, a pioneering high-tech company will be attending PELICE 2024 in Atlanta, Georgia from March 14-15, 2024, to showcase its breakthrough technologies and strengthen partnerships.

Oren Yahav, SMARTECH’s AI Director will be delivering a keynote talk on the morning of Friday March 15 - “Revolutionizing the Wood-Based Panel Industry Through the Power of AI Technology.” Here Oren will describe the value latent in next-generation Artificial Intelligence for wood-based panel manufacturers to improve quality, throughput and cost metrics while overcoming the challenges inherent in an industry-wide shortfall of skilled operators and volatile raw material costs.

We invite manufacturers to come and hear how our proven AI-enabled Autonomous Manewfacturing™ solution is closing the control loop in real-time and driving critical manufacturing processes autonomously. With a wide range of modules for multi-opening presses, continuous presses and more, SMARTECH’s AI-based platform helps wood manufacturers to dramatically improve plant capacity and cost structure.Furthermore, SMARTECH has recently launched the SMARTMDI water-based MDI suspension system which reduces at least 15% of MDI use without any penalty in board quality. In addition, the latest innovation is the SMARTPF System that was developed to help our North American customers to reduce PF resin consumption by 15% without any chemical additives.

Hanoch Magid, CEO of SMARTECH emphasizes: "We are a uniquely innovative technology company that specializes in developing and providing cutting-edge solutions to the wood-based panel sector. Our tech equipment for raw material optimization like our renown SMARTWAX System and our proven AI-based tools improve production efficiency and revolutionize the whole industry;” Hanoch adds: “We are thrilled to see colleagues again at PELICE 2024!”.

To discover how to unlock the potential of your production lines with the power of AI/ML technology and discuss business opportunities, please contact us at marketing@smartech.com.

About SMARTECH

SMARTECH is a pioneering hi-tech company that provides game-changing technologies to the global manufacturing industry. SMARTECH revolutionizes traditional manufacturing by reducing raw material use and unleashing the latent potential of data, and helps industries upgrade their plants to smart, autonomous factories by transforming existing production lines into high-performing, data-driven and sustainable assets. SMARTECH, Manewfacturing™ Technologies is headquartered in Israel, with a presence in the USA, Canada, Europe, Asia, and Latin America.For more information about SMARTECH solutions, visit http://www.smartech.com.

‍For media and press inquiries, please contact:

Ms. Nathalie Vaknin, VP Marketing
SMARTECH Manewfacturing™ Technologies
+972 54-760-7024
nathalie.vaknin@smartech.com