The pioneers in sandwich technology with more than 75 years of experience

We are 3A Composites Core Materials

3A Composites Core Materials is a global organizational unit within the 3A Composites Group, part of Schweiter Technologies (SIX Swiss Exchange: SWTQ).

We are pioneers and a global leader in sandwich composite technology with more than 75 years of experience. Our portfolio consists of high-performing, robust, reliable, yet lightweight and sustainable core materials with our main focus on PET foam and balsa wood.

Our operations are located in Europe (Switzerland, Poland), the Americas (NC and KY), China (Shanghai and Changzhou), Ecuador and Papua New Guinea that make our AIREX® foams, BALTEK® balsa wood composite materials as well as FOREX®/ SMART-X® display solutions globally manufactured and locally available.

AIREX® manufacturing locations: Switzerland, USA and China

Since it was founded over 65 years ago, our Swiss location has been the headquarters of the division and produces AIREX® closed-cell rigid foams for sandwich technology and flexible foams for the fitness / rehabilitation sector as well as FOREX® / SMART-X®, lightweight panels for visual communication.

We have two production sites in the USA: our headquarters and assembly for North America are located in High Point, NC, while our AIREX® PET foam products are manufactured in Glasgow, KY.

We have two locations in China: the regional headquarters for the Asia-Pacific region and the assembly of the core materials are located in Shanghai, and our AIREX® PET foams are produced in Changzhou. Changzhou is the group's latest investment and contributes to the implementation of corporate strategies in the APAC region.

BALTEK® balsa manufacturing locations: PNG and Ecuador

Our BALTEK® balsa wood cores are manufactured in Ecuador and Papua New Guinea with a fully integrated model from FSC®-certified owned plantations to worldclass manufacturing standards, being the only balsa wood supplier that can deliver core kits directly from source.

Our values

While creating core materials with passion and perseverance that are stronger, lighter and greener to the core, we care about our employees and take interest in the communities we work in.

All of our core materials are lightweight and strong either made of recyclable plastic (PET) or arised from balsa trees that we plant. The aim is to manufacture ecological products that help customers and partners to become more energy efficient and therefore positively impact the environment - for a stronger, lighter and greener future.

High performing

Fore more than 75 years, our focus and driving force has been set to develop high-quality core materials of superior durability and performance.

Strong and light

Striving to find the right balance between the product's strength and lightweight results in more durable and energy-efficient end products for our customers and partners.

Greener

The aim of our products is to make communities and industries greener by respecting social, environmental and industrial resources. We passionately develop energy efficient end products and target continuous improvement in respect to reduction of carbon footprint.

Engagement

When it comes to quality, we do not make any compromises. We are very proud of our dedicated teams worldwide, with some members being with the company for more than 25 years.

Impactful

Aiming for a positive impact with everything we do - with our products, our social, industrial, and environmental commitment, with our strong corporate governance and Code of Conduct, for partners and for ourselves. For our all stronger, lighter and greener future.

Building a greener future around communities

While respecting nature, forest and water resources, our sustainablity efforts try to enhance social, environmental, industrial, corporate and financial wellbeing. Building sustainable products is our way of building a better tomorrow.

Our sustainability strategy

3A Composites Core Materials in numbers

75 years of experience Global footprint in sustainable core materials No. of employees 1855 13,450 ha. of FSC certified plantations Free education for over 50 preschool kids in Papua New Guinea ca. 2 million trees planted a year BALTEK® SBC The first carbon neutral core material in the world 27-29m, it takes 4-5 years for a Balse tree to grow that high 36% resin uptake saving thanks to pet SealX

Global locations

Our Management

Eric Gauthier

Eric Gauthier

CEO, 3A Composites Core Materials

"Developing a greener future together based on safety, quality, best cost of ownership for our customers and sustainability."

Kilian Jauch

Kilian Jauch

Division CFO

"Green energy is not about fashion, it's about securing better future."

John Chen

John Chen

Managing Director Asia Pacific

"Solutions for a greener world."

Ramón del Pino

Ramón del Pino

General Manager Americas

"Genuine commitments with our stakeholders."

Eric Gauthier

Eric Gauthier

CEO, 3A Composites Core Materials

(*1968, Swiss citizenship)

Eric Gauthier has been CEO of the 3A Composites Core Materials Division since December 2018. In 2011 he was appointed President of Global Key Accounts and Head of EMEA Sales. Previously, he served as Global Strategy Director of Core Materials for 7 years. He holds a Master of Finance from HEC Paris and an Economist degree from Higher School of management. Built on a finance background, he has more than 25 years of experience in corporate and local management functions for global corporations. Prior to joining the composite business, he assumed key positions at Rio Tinto Alcan and Nestlé.

Kilian Jauch

Kilian Jauch

Division CFO

(*1973, Swiss citizenship)

Kilian Jauch joined 3A Composites more than 10 years ago and has been CFO of the Core Materials Division since 2016. He holds an Economist degree from Higher School of Economics and Business Administration, Lucerne, Switzerland and looks back at more than 20 years of experience in different Finance functions and Project Management area. Prior to joining 3A Composites he held various positions with multinational companies such as Georgia Pacific and Unilever.

John Chen

John Chen

Managing Director Asia Pacific

(*1969, Chinese citizenship)

John Chen has been General Manager of the Core Materials Division for the Asia-Pacific region since 2011. He holds a bachelor's degree in chemical engineering from Fudan University and a master's degree in international business from CEIBS Shanghai. He held various positions with multinational companies from 1993 to 2001 in China, Singapore and Germany. Starting in 2002 he joined 3A Composites and worked as chief representative of 3A Composites GmbH in East Asia region, he switched to the Core Materials division in 2007.

Ramón del Pino

Ramón del Pino

General Manager Americas

(* 1965, Chilean citizenship)

Ramón del Pino holds a degree in industrial engineering from Concepción University in Chile. He has more than 25 years of experience in various forestry companies. He has lived in Asia for 15 years and was responsible for the distribution and market development of CMPC products in significant markets, for example in Japan, Korea, China, Singapore and Thailand. Ramón del Pino has been working for 3A Composites Core Materials in Ecuador since 2009, and is responsible for the Americas region; he began his career as forestry manager and quickly took on the responsibility as general manager.

See how our products are implemented in your market:

Numerous partners and customers have chosen our high-performing and sustainable products made of rigid foams and balsa wood - the broadest portfolio of core materials made by a global leader and pioneer in industrial sandwich technology.

See our products

Engineering with a purpose

For more than 75 years, innovation, durability and efficiency has been the essence of our engineering work.

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Do you have further questions? Please contact us.

If you want to find out more about our commitment and values do not hesitate to reach us.

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