Shaping the Future with Polyurethane

Under the name Maschinenfabrik Karl Hennecke, the founder of the same name establishes the company on November 1, 1945, laying the cornerstone for technological innovation and many significant milestones in polyurethane processing.

The company develops discontinuous slabstock systems capable of producing flexible foam blocks in box molds. Growing global demand drives Hennecke’s international expansion, while the number of employees rapidly increases due to the fast-growing machinery portfolio.

Hennecke develops the first high-pressure metering machine. The counterflow injection process used in these HK machines is completely new at the time.

In the year of Karl Hennecke’s passing, the company employs 169 people and generates annual turnover of 6.5 million deutsche marks. The strategic focus on polyurethane production equipment continues successfully even after the founder’s death. Hennecke maintains a monopoly on this technology until the expiration of its patents.

Newly designed double conveyor systems for the continuous production of rigid polyurethane foam panels are another example of the company’s innovative engineering capabilities.

Hennecke becomes part of a larger industrial organization and is renamed Maschinenfabrik Hennecke GmbH. This establishes the foundation for further growth and expanded international activity, while also accelerating technological development.

The founding of Hennecke USA in New Jersey marks the systematic expansion of the company’s international presence. This proximity to key industrial markets enables better customer support and faster implementation of technical solutions.

Hennecke sets new standards for the industrial production of polyurethane components with the introduction of highly automated molded foam systems. This increased automation enables higher production volumes while maintaining consistently high quality, making manufacturing more efficient and reproducible.

The development of continuous sandwich panel production systems opens up new opportunities for the manufacturing of insulation and construction materials.  Polyurethane becomes increasingly established as a high-performance material for energy-efficient applications.  Hennecke plays a leading role in this with its innovative system technologies.

The continued expansion of international operations further strengthens the company’s global market presence. New locations and partnerships make closer integration of development, production, and sales possible. At the same time, international requirements are increasingly factored into ongoing technological advancements. This results in a more globally focused innovation network.

The 1980s are all about increasing automation and significant advances in machine controls, as well as mixing technologies and metering systems for far more precise process control. Improvements in hardware and software enhance reproducibility and system efficiency, while international collaboration is expanded, in part through a licensing agreement with a Japanese partner company.

With its first equipment delivery to China, Hennecke enters one of the world’s most important growth markets at an early stage. Rapid industrialization across Asia creates new opportunities for polyurethane processing, while the company simultaneously expands its presence in additional Asian markets. This marks an important step toward becoming a globally connected organization.

Hennecke’s introduction of Pentane Process Technology (PPT) marks a major milestone in more sustainable production. The technology enables the replacement of CFCs in refrigerator production, making a significant contribution to environmental protection.

Hennecke responds to increasing demands for higher material quality together with sustainability by combining economic and environmental advantages. NOVAFLEX technology adds a process for producing high-quality foams using naturally occurring carbon dioxide to the portfolio.

The introduction of spray processing opens up a variety of new applications, particularly in construction and insulation technology. At the same time, the company strengthens its expertise along the entire process chain, evolving into a comprehensive solutions provider.

At the turn of the millennium, Hennecke systematically expands its expertise in insulation technologies. The focus is on production systems for polyurethane insulation panels that improve the energy efficiency of buildings. At the same time, the company strengthens its international presence through a global sales and service network.

With PUR-CSM technology, Hennecke opens up new possibilities for the production of fiber-reinforced components that combine high strength with low weight, making them ideal for demanding industrial applications. At the same time, the expansion of the Shanghai facility gives the company an even stronger link to international growth markets.

The introduction of HP-RTM technology by Hennecke creates new opportunities for industrial-scale production of lightweight structures. As efficient processing of fiber-reinforced components is becoming increasingly important, particularly in the automotive industry, this move reinforces the company’s position as a leader in future-oriented applications.

With its technology for the continuous production of slabstock foam, Hennecke introduces a groundbreaking mixture discharge system. The new process enables more precise and continuous production, and strengthens the company’s position along the entire process chain.

With the opening of the TECHCENTER in Sankt Augustin, Hennecke establishes a central platform for development, testing, and customer applications. New technologies can now be tested and refined under real production conditions, strengthening collaboration with customers and accelerating innovation.

With the acquisition of Impianti OMS (Officine Meccaniche Seregnesi), founded in 1969 in Seregno, Italy, the Hennecke GROUP consolidates its expertise in sandwich panel production technology and significantly expands its position in the segment. OMS brings specialized know-how in the production of polyurethane insulation panels used in the thermal insulation of residential and industrial buildings. The integration of this expertise makes it possible to provide complete production lines from a single source, establishing the company as one of the world’s leading providers of this service.

With new machine generations such as STREAMLINE MK2 and ELASTOLINE HP, Hennecke continues to further develop its technologies, with a focus on greater efficiency, precision, and ease of operation. These innovations further optimize production processes while meeting increasingly demanding market requirements.

The design and development of the Next-Generation Metering Machines represents one of the company’s largest development projects in the past 75 years. In the process, Hennecke fundamentally optimizes its portfolio of high-pressure metering machines, integrating energy efficiency, sustainability, productivity, and digitalization into a comprehensively reimagined long-term development process.

Integration into the Brückner Group establishes the foundation for continued growth within a powerful industrial network. Collaboration within the Group creates new opportunities for technological development and market expansion, while reinforcing Hennecke’s position as an innovation leader in polyurethane processing.