Axel Plastics Research Laboratories celebrates its 65th anniversary.

In 2007, Axel Plastics Research Laboratories, Woodside, NY, marks its 65th year of supplying the rubber and plastics industries worldwide with proprietary mold releases and process aid additives. Axel is a family owned and operated business that was founded in 1941 by Dr. Rodolphe Aczel. Aczel was born in Hungary and resided in Germany and Belgium, attaining a degree in chemistry from the University of Louvin in Belgium before immigrating to the United States in 1939. The mold release business was an outgrowth of the research chemist's non-stick coatings that he developed to preserve his laboratory glassware, part of the wartime effort to conserve technical glass that was hard to obtain. Current president, Frank Axel, joined the company in 1970. Axel's third generation of family and management is represented by Jake Axel, Frank's son, who currently serves as vice president, focusing special interest on internal process enhancements, product development and corporate productivity. Today, Axel meets customer needs worldwide through direct sales and a network of 40 stocking distributors serving over 55 countries. Pictured above are Jake Axel (L) and Frank Axel (R). (RW+)

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