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History

A rich past, a bright future

Where we come from

Huber Advanced Materials was established in 2022 as part of the Huber Engineered Materials division of J.M. Huber Corporation. Yet our history stretches much farther back.

Linked by history

The past is the common thread that unites us all. Huber Advanced Materials combines the strengths of J.M. Huber Corporation, Martinswerk GmbH and Magnifin Magnesia­produkte GmbH & Co KG. The result is excellence in halogen-free fire retardant additives, specialty aluminas, organic matting agents and carriers, and thermal management solutions.

Thanks to our history, we are able to leverage our unique technical expertise in an array of innovative products using the most advanced technologies. Our unsurpassed track record of customer focus and technical know-how will help us continue meeting the dynamic needs of people around the globe in the future.

To learn more about the history of our parent company, J.M. Huber Corporation, please visit Huber.com.
 

19th century and early 20th century

1883

Joseph Maria Huber arrives in the United States of America as a salesman to develop new markets for his family’s dry colors business.

1891

Joseph Maria Huber opens his first dry color plant in Brooklyn, New York.

1914

Martinswerk is founded as a subsidiary of Alusuisse to produce smelter-grade alumina for the company’s plants.

Mid–Late 20th Century

1946

A patent for silicates marks Huber’s entry into specialty chemicals—and the birth of what would later become Huber Engineered Materials.

1971

VMAG, one of the predecessor companies behind MAGNIFIN, builds a magnesium oxide unit at its plant in Breitenau, Austria.

1981

Huber acquires Solem Industries, and alumina trihydrate (ATH) manufacturer, which becomes the foundation for Huber Engineered Materials’ Fire Retardant Additives (FRA) business.

1987

Mike Huber, the grandson of Joseph Maria Huber, introduces the Huber Principles to serve as a guidepost for the company’s core values.

1988

VMAG signs a cooperation agreement with Martinswerk, the world’s leading supplier of aluminum hydroxide-based flame retardants.

1990

MAGNIFIN is founded and builds a new magnesium hydroxide plant.

1994

Martinswerk transforms itself from a smelter-grade alumina supplier into a leading producer of special chemicals based on aluminum hydroxide and aluminum oxide.

21st century

2001

Martinswerk is acquired by Albemarle Corporation.

2012

Huber Engineered Materials buys the assets of Huber Specialty Hydrates, making it a core part of its Fire Retardant Additives unit.

2016

Huber Engineered Materials acquires Martinswerk and a 50% stake in Magnifin. The move establishes it as a global leader in halogen-free fire retardants and provider of premium-quality magnesium hydroxide and oxide powders. 

2018

J.M. Huber Corporation marks its 135th anniversary.

2022

Huber becomes the full owner of Magnifin and Huber Advanced Materials becomes the new name for the Fire Retardant Additives strategic business unit.

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