Protan was founded in 1939 and is a Norwegian, family-owned company with long traditions. The next generation in the family is involved in the company’s Board of Directors and the family takes a long term view on the development of the Protan group.
Protan is built on solid management, whilst the company's history is characterised by innovation and development to keep pace with the ever changing needs of the construction industry. Protan’s products are accredited and tested by most building technology institutes in Europe.
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A glimpse at Protan's product history:
1939 - Harvesting of Seaweed
Harvesting seaweed to extract alginate started on small scale but grew into a major activity with scores of processing factory plants along the Norwegian West coast. Protan was one the largest producers of alginate in the world.
1940's - Consumer Products
Protan moved into the production of toothpaste using their experience from extracting alginate. The Protan toothpaste was known for its ease in filing the tube and the manhandling required to force it out onto the toothbrush!
Sodium alginate and polypropylene glycol alginate were also commonly used as thickeners in foods such as ice cream and cheese spread. It is also used for dental and medical needs like drug encapsulation and wound dressings.
1948 - Ventiflex
Since 1948 Protan had worked with a product that was meant for a completely different market than the consumer products, Ventiflex.
1953 - Coated Textiles
By 1953, Protan boasted a product portfolio of tarpaulin, flooring and wallpaper designed for industry, business offices and housing.
1970s - Roofing Membranes
In the 1970`s, Protan looked into the possibilities of manufacturing roofing membrane made of plastic, Sarnafil, a Swiss company, already produced this and after a while Protan got a licence from Sarnafil to start production in Norway. In the 1980`s roofing PVC membranes became more widespread and after 23 years it was time to change and the cooperation with Sarnafil was consigned to history.
1991 - Alginate sold
Protan sold the alginate part of the company to Hydro.
Today - Protan AS
Protan is now an international business trading in 16 different countries throughout Europe offering Roofing Membranes; Ventiflex; Technical Textiles and Wall Coatings. |
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