Arthur P. Haag (1929 – 2023) was the “titanium man” of the plastics materials industry. His nearly 70-year career included leadership in creating specialty chemicals for plastics manufacturing and later the plastics molding industries.
From 1957 to 1986, Haag developed, produced, and commercialized titanium and organic catalysts for the manufacture of plastics. He invented methods and equipment to manufacture high-purity titanium catalysts, earning him four US patents. In 1966, he founded PureChem in California and built it into a top manufacturer of Titanium (III) Chloride, an important catalyst for the manufacture of polyolefins.
After selling PureChem to Dart Industries in 1970, Haag operated and greatly expanded the catalyst businesses of Dart-Kraft, including PureChem, which he relocated to Texas; Aztec Chemicals, a major manufacturer of organic and magnesium catalysts based in Ohio; and a New Jersey R&D laboratory. Philips Petroleum acquired Dart Industries in 1982.
In 2014, H.T. Sears, former head of Phillips’ worldwide chemical business, wrote that the company considered Haag to be the “king” of the catalyst business, and its decision to buy Dart-Kraft’s catalyst division was “based in large part on our acquisition of Art’s leadership and expertise.”
Haag retired from Phillips in 1986. He soon became an entrepreneur again, developing three hi-tech ventures involving advanced temperature instruments, bio-medical diagnostic equipment and energy research. Then, while working at home, he invented the “Purgex” line of proprietary purging compounds to remove color and contamination from plastic molding machines. As a result, Haag had a remarkable second plastics career from 1992 to 2023 as the founder and head of Neutrex, which produces and sells Purgex globally – twice winning Presidential awards for excellence. Haag strongly advocated using purging compounds to increase quality and efficiency in plastic molding.
Haag held a degree in Chemical Engineering from the University of Wisconsin. He was an inspirational leader and speaker who was highly respected in the industry, even by competitors. Haag passed away just before he turned 94, still leading Neutrex.