In this interview, AZoMaterials speaks with David Cranfill, Technology and Innovation Director for Polyurethanes at Huntsman, about how the company is leveraging the AI platform developed by Citrine Informatics to transform materials development, accelerate formulation processes, and deliver measurable business value.
This interview summarizes the recent webinar presented by David Cranfill - you can watch the webinar here.
Can you please introduce yourself and your role at Huntsman?
Huntsman is a multinational specialty chemical company with three core divisions: advanced materials, performance products, and polyurethanes. Within the polyurethanes division, we are a global leader in MDI-based polyurethane solutions used in applications such as rigid and flexible foams, coatings, adhesives, and elastomers.
My role as Technology and Innovation Director is focused on driving new product development and aligning innovation strategies with business objectives across the Americas.
What motivated Huntsman to explore AI in materials development?
We were looking for ways to accelerate development, particularly in projects involving complex testing like fire performance. Traditionally, this process was very sequential.
We began exploring the AI platform from Citrine Informatics to help us identify promising starting formulations faster and predict outcomes earlier, ultimately reducing both development time and the need for expensive external testing.
Can you describe the first AI project and its objectives using Citrine Informatics?
Our first project using the Citrine Informatics platform was within Huntsman Building Solutions, focused on spray foam insulation systems. The goal was to improve fire performance while reducing the number of required fire tests.
We used the platform to move away from purely sequential experimentation toward a more data-driven, predictive approach to formulation development.
What results did you achieve using Citrine Informatics’ AI platform?
The project was very successful. We reduced development time by approximately 30 % and significantly decreased the number of external fire tests required.
The Citrine platform helped formulators reach starting points faster, uncover relationships between variables, and reduce overall costs.
How does AI enhance the work of scientists rather than replace them?
The Citrine Informatics platform is very much a tool, not a replacement. It allows scientists to analyze far more variables than they could manually. For example, a scientist might typically consider three to five variables, but with AI, we examined close to 30.
It helps uncover non-obvious relationships and accelerates decision-making, but the expertise of the chemist is still essential for interpreting results and guiding development.
What were the key factors behind the success of your AI implementation with Citrine Informatics?
One of the most important factors was choosing a meaningful project that delivered real business value. We also established a strong partnership with the Citrine Informatics team and identified an internal champion to lead adoption.
Additionally, we avoided overcomplicating things by starting with manageable datasets rather than attempting to build a massive data infrastructure upfront.
How did you scale AI adoption across Huntsman?
We used the initial project with the Citrine Informatics platform as a pilot to demonstrate value. By sharing results and progress across the organization, we built interest organically.
Instead of forcing adoption, we created demand. Teams began asking to use the platform themselves, which made scaling more effective.
What challenges did you encounter when introducing AI to your teams?
One of the main challenges was overcoming skepticism and fear. Some employees initially worried that AI might replace their roles.
We addressed this by clearly communicating that the Citrine platform is a tool designed to enhance their capabilities, not replace them.
How did you approach data preparation for the Citrine Informatics platform?
Our data was spread across multiple formats such as Excel files, lab notebooks, and documents. However, the Citrine platform does not require a large dataset to get started.
Typically, we began with around 30 data points, and it took about two to three weeks to prepare the data and integrate it into the platform.
What advice would you give to organizations starting their AI journey?
Start with projects that are important to the business and can deliver results within a reasonable timeframe. Avoid overly complex projects initially.
Focus on smaller datasets, demonstrate value early using platforms like Citrine Informatics, and build momentum across the organization.
About David Cranfill
David Cranfill is the Technology and Innovation Director for Polyurethanes at Huntsman Corporation. He leads innovation strategies and new product development initiatives across the Americas, focusing on polyurethane systems used in insulation, coatings, adhesives, and elastomers.
He has been instrumental in integrating AI-driven tools, including the Citrine Informatics platform, into R&D workflows to accelerate development cycles, reduce costs, and enhance product performance. Based in The Woodlands, Texas, he is part of Huntsman’s Americas leadership team.
This information has been sourced, reviewed, and adapted from materials provided by Citrine Informatics.
For more information on this source, please visit Citrine Informatics.
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