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
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