RCS - Zotefoams PLC - Innovation Initiatives and Executive Appointment

ZotefoamsAnnouncement

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RNS Number : 9466W  Zotefoams PLC  28 August 2025

 

Zotefoams plc

('Zotefoams', the 'Company' or 'Group')

 

Innovation Initiatives and Executive Appointment

 

28 August 2025 - Zotefoams, a world leader in supercritical foams, today
announces three important initiatives to drive the planned acceleration of its
innovation capabilities.

 

The creation of a Global Innovation Hub in the UK, the establishment of a
dedicated Footwear Innovation Centre in South Korea and the appointment of its
first Chief Strategy and Innovation Officer form part of a coordinated
approach to innovation globally. The accompanying investment of £6.8 million
over the next three years is reflected in existing market guidance and will
strengthen the Group's competitive positioning and advance its Expanding
Beyond the Core growth strategy.

 

Global Innovation Hub

 

Zotefoams will establish its Global Innovation Hub within the company's
historic Croydon site, where it has operated continuously since 1935. The
£4.5 million investment will create a state-of-the-art innovation facility
that will serve as the global centre for breakthrough foam technologies and
next-generation product development.

 

This co-location strategy leverages existing infrastructure, reduces
operational costs, and enables seamless collaboration between R&D teams
and manufacturing expertise.

 

The Global Innovation Hub will accelerate the development of advanced foam
solutions across Zotefoams' three core markets: Consumer & Lifestyle,
Transport & Smart Technologies, and Construction & Industrial
applications.

 

Footwear Innovation Centre

 

Zotefoams is establishing a Footwear Innovation Centre in Busan, South Korea,
targeting the rapidly growing athletic footwear market. South Korea represents
one of the world's largest footwear innovation hubs, with major global brands
maintaining significant R&D and manufacturing operations in the region.

 

The Busan facility, which is a further £2.3 million investment, will operate
as a specialised spoke of the Global Innovation Hub, enabling rapid
development and deployment of next-generation footwear foam technologies. Led
by an experienced Korean executive with deep expertise in both footwear design
and foam applications, the centre will enhance customer collaboration and
accelerate growth in one of Zotefoams' fastest-expanding markets.

 

This hub-and-spoke model places Zotefoams closer to key Asian customers and
partners, reducing development cycles and strengthening competitive
positioning in the global footwear market.

 

Senior Leadership Appointment

 

To strengthen leadership of innovation and strategic projects, Zotefoams has
appointed Simon Comer as its first Chief Strategy & Innovation Officer,
expanding on his previous role as Group Strategy & Delivery Director. In
his new role, Simon will oversee the Innovation & Development team, the
Results Delivery Office and corporate development, ensuring innovation is
aligned with disciplined execution in support of the Group's strategic
priorities.

 

 

Ronan Cox, Group CEO of Zotefoams, commented:

 

"These initiatives represent a step change in our innovation capabilities and
global reach. Our Global Innovation Hub will serve as the worldwide engine for
breakthrough technologies, while our Footwear Innovation Centre in South Korea
places us at the heart of one of the world's most dynamic athletic footwear
markets.

 

"The appointment of Simon Comer as our first Chief Strategy & Innovation
Officer ensures we have the leadership structure to translate innovation into
sustainable competitive advantage. Together, these investments position
Zotefoams strongly for our next phase of profitable growth."

 

 

Enquiries:

 

 Zotefoams plc            +44 (0) 208 664 1600
 Ronan Cox, Group CEO
 Gary McGrath, Group CFO

 IFC Advisory             +44 (0) 203 934 6630
 Graham Herring

 Tim Metcalfe

 Zach Cohen

 

 

About Zotefoams plc

Zotefoams plc (LSE - ZTF) is a world leader in supercritical fluid foam
technology, delivering optimal material solutions for the benefit of society.
Utilising a variety of unique manufacturing processes, including
environmentally friendly nitrogen expansion for lightweight AZOTE® and
ZOTEK® high-performance foams, Zotefoams sells to diverse markets worldwide
across three market verticals, Consumer & Lifestyle, Transport & Smart
Technologies, and Construction & Other Industrial. Zotefoams uses its own
materials to manufacture T-FIT® advanced insulation for demanding industrial
markets.

 

Zotefoams is headquartered in Croydon, UK, with additional manufacturing sites
in Kentucky, USA and Brzeg, Poland (foam manufacture), and foam products
conversion in Oklahoma, USA and Jiangsu Province, China (T-FIT).

 

www.zotefoams.com

 

AZOTE®, ZOTEK® and T-FIT® are registered trademarks of Zotefoams plc.

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