The company was founded in 1977 by Nairne Stewart-Sandeman (1925-2011). An audacious innovator and entrepreneur, his pioneering idea was to manufacture a dishwasher friendly ‘bonding agent’ for hollow handle silver and stainless steel knives. Moltupol initially produced two types of oxysulphate cement, called ZZ-47 and ZZ-38.

Whilst these cements are now commonly thought of as Moltupol’s two signature products, two further cement derivatives called ZZ-36-N and ZZ-38-N were subsequently developed for other specific high temperature cement applications.

Mr Sandeman had a quirky, scientific mind and an inherent desire to tinker. These values remain an integral part of Moltupol’s ethos today, and the company maintains a strong R&D department, continuously looking to develop new products that meet the specific requirements of today’s market.

Looking to the future is important, but Moltupol’s specialty cements are renowned for their quality and consistency, and it is this product quality that forms the bedrock and strong foundation upon which the company has been built. Today, Moltupol is internationally renowned as a leading manufacturer of ceramic cements for hollow handle cutlery (flatware) and cooking utensils.

OVERVIEW

The arrival of dishwashing machines provided a welcome relief from washing cutlery by hand but created a problem for cutlery manufacturers. The main problem with traditional manufacturing methods in flatware was that the glue and filler (resin) used to connect the hollow knife handle to the blade softened and expanded with the heat of the dishwasher enough to actually push the blade away from the handle, causing the knife to break apart.

Moltupol cement solved this problem. Moltupol ceramic cements have very specific formula, and are specifically designed to be very strong and to withstand high temperatures. In using Moltupol cement, cutlery manufacturers were able to develop ‘dish-washer’ friendly cutlery.

KNIFE MANUFACTURING

Knives can either have a hollow handle construction or a solid handle construction. Solid handle knives are less expensive than hollow handle knives but are normally made from one piece of steel (i.e. the handle is stamped from the same sheet of steel as the blade). These knives often have a lesser finish, limited pattern definition in the handle, and as the material in the handle is the same as the blade, a compromise must be made between cutting ability and corrosion resistance.

Traditionally, the finest quality cutlery and flatware is constructed in two separate pieces, where a forged blade with a tang is mounted to a hollow handle using either a resin or cement. These hollow handle knives have many advantages over solid handle knives. For example, the knife handle can be constructed from a different a different material to the blade, and a special pattern definition and polish can be obtained on the handle. Another principal reason for using a hollow handle is that the weight in the knife is better distributed, enabling manufacturers to make a knife with a handle is wide enough so that it is comfortable to use, but without being too heavy and cumbersome. In short, the knife is perfectly balanced when placed in the hand.

KITCHEN UTENSILS

Approximately 20 years ago, Moltupol expanded out of the cutlery industry and started to produce its oxysulphate cement for kitchen tools / utensils. Other cement derivatives were developed following extensive testing and to meet the specific needs of particular clients. Moltupol now produces cement for a number of different kitchen utensil companies (at both first line and second line) and has clients all over the world, including China and South America.

The raw materials used to produce Moltupol’s range of specialty cements come from a range of carefully selected global suppliers who provide materials only of the highest quality and purity. This is fundamental to ensure that each and every batch of cement has consistent physical properties and exactly the same performance characteristics.

At Moltupol, we know and understand that our customers depend on superior quality cement and that the cement is consistent from batch to batch. Consequently, at Moltupol we place a high importance on quality control. Very strict quality assurance parameters are employed which dictate that every batch of cement is rigorously tested and then compared to the established Moltupol norms (standards). This guarantees that there is no deviation from the conventional performance characteristics of each type of cement.