For more than 160 years, Safic-Alcan and Hutchinson have shared a business relationship rooted in trust, expertise and innovation. Safic-Alcan’s archives reveal that its first rubber sales to Hutchinson date back to 1861, marking the beginning of a long-standing partnership that continues to shape the future of the rubber industry.
Far beyond a traditional supplier–customer relationship, this collaboration reflects a shared commitment to performance, sustainability and long-term industry development.
More Than Just a Business Relationship
Few companies with over a century of history remain as dynamic as Safic-Alcan, a leading distributor of specialty chemicals, and Hutchinson, a subsidiary of the TotalEnergies Group specializing in advanced materials and solutions for the automotive, aerospace and industrial sectors.
Their enduring partnership is built on mutual understanding and strategic alignment, as highlighted by Serge Perret, President of the National Union of Rubber and Polymers (SNCP) and Director of Procurement at Hutchinson from 2010 to late 2021.
Long-term collaboration, he explains, becomes particularly valuable during periods of disruption—such as the logistical challenges faced during the COVID-19 pandemic—when trust and market knowledge make a decisive difference.
Shared Engagement Within the Rubber Industry
The relationship between Hutchinson and Safic-Alcan also extends beyond business operations into industry governance. Their paths cross within SNCP, where Serge Perret chairs the management committee and Philippe Cenreaud, Managing Director Performance Products at Safic-Alcan, is an active member.
SNCP plays a key role in representing the interests of the rubber industry and its 40,000 employees, particularly in economic, regulatory and labor matters.
One notable SNCP initiative includes funding research into the challenges posed by electric vehicles, helping industry members adapt to new technical constraints such as increased under-the-bonnet temperatures and evolving material requirements.
A Shared Commitment to Sustainability
Sustainable development has become a central pillar of Hutchinson’s supplier strategy and a critical criterion in partner selection. Requirements related to carbon neutrality, greenhouse gas emissions, responsible sourcing, deforestation prevention and child labor avoidance are increasingly stringent.
Safic-Alcan actively supports Hutchinson’s sustainability objectives by working to shorten supply chains, identify alternative sourcing options and anticipate future production needs with a lower environmental footprint.
Investing in Innovation and Research
Innovation is another cornerstone of this long-term collaboration. Both companies are founding members of the Foundation of Rubber, an organization dedicated to research, forecasting and performance improvement within the industry.
Led since its inception by Hutchinson’s CEOs—first Mr. Maigne, then Mrs. Moreau-Leroy—the foundation enables strategic investment in research and technical advancement.
Preparing the Future Through Training and Skills Development
Beyond technology and automation, human capital remains essential to the future of the rubber industry. Hutchinson and Safic-Alcan are deeply committed to preserving expertise and developing the next generation of professionals.
Both Serge Perret and Philippe Cenreaud sit on the board of IFOCA Academy, the only institute of its kind in Europe dedicated exclusively to rubber science and technology. IFOCA plays a vital role in meeting recruitment needs while safeguarding knowledge developed since the Goodyear patent era of the mid-19th century.
Raising the Profile of the Rubber Industry
Hutchinson and Safic-Alcan are also actively involved in strengthening the industry’s visibility and competitiveness. Through their participation in Polymeris, a competitiveness cluster supporting innovation and funding in the polymer sector, they contribute to the reinvention of European manufacturing.
They also support emerging innovation through Elastolab, a newly created incubator fostering startups and entrepreneurial initiatives within the rubber ecosystem.
A Partnership Shaping the Future
The collaboration between Hutchinson and Safic-Alcan extends far beyond a conventional commercial relationship. Through shared commitments to sustainability, innovation, training and industry advocacy, both companies are actively shaping the future of the rubber sector.
As Europe moves toward reindustrialization, they share a common belief: preserving specialized expertise while reimagining manufacturing will be key to long-term success. After more than 160 years of collaboration, their shared future continues to look bright.