Zotefoams
A British manufacturer of closed-cell, crosslinked foam materials made from polyolefins and engineering polymers.
Last updated August 24, 2026
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Overview
Zotefoams plc is a British materials manufacturer specializing in closed-cell, crosslinked foams. Its products are produced from polyolefins and engineering polymers and are supplied as lightweight material solutions for applications where low density, resilience, insulation, cushioning, buoyancy, durability, or chemical resistance are important. The company is associated with foam technologies sold under brands including Azote and Plastazote, while its broader portfolio has developed through manufacturing, research, international partnerships, and acquisitions. The business originated in 1921 as Onazote Limited, founded by Charles Marshall. Its early activity involved expanded rubber materials. During the twentieth century, the company moved progressively toward polymer-based foams; polyethylene foam production became an important area during the 1960s. This transition established the technical direction that later defined Zotefoams: the development and manufacture of specialized foams with controlled cellular structures rather than conventional commodity cushioning products. The company was acquired by BP during the 1970s. Under BP ownership, it continued developing expertise in crosslinked foam technologies. Zotefoams was demerged from BP in 1992 and adopted its present corporate identity before listing on the London Stock Exchange in 1995. Its public-company structure supported the development of an international manufacturing and sales platform while retaining a focus on engineered foam materials. International distribution became a significant part of the business. In May 2000, Zotefoams entered a global sales and marketing alliance with Sekisui Chemical Company. Under that arrangement, Sekisui acted as agent and distributor for Zotefoams in continental Europe, Asia, and for some North American customers. The same year, a fire at the company’s Beddington manufacturing facility in London destroyed approximately 30 percent of the building and interrupted some customer deliveries, creating a notable operational disruption. Zotefoams expanded its manufacturing footprint during the 2010s. In 2017, it acquired the remaining 50 percent of its Chinese joint venture, Kunshan Zotek King Lai, thereby taking full ownership of the Chinese foam-manufacturing operation. The move strengthened the company’s direct presence in China and reduced its reliance on a jointly owned structure in that market. In November 2022, Zotefoams broadened its portfolio through the acquisition of Refour ApS, a packaging-materials manufacturer headquartered in Skanderborg, Denmark. The company continued its expansion through a further acquisition in November 2025, when it acquired Overseas Konstellation Company S.A., a Spanish technical-foam manufacturer, for consideration of up to €36 million. In 2025, Zotefoams also announced plans for a larger global innovation infrastructure, including a Global Innovation Hub at its established Croydon site. The hub is intended to consolidate research and development activity and support the creation of future foam technologies. Zotefoams serves multiple industrial and specialist markets, including aerospace, sports equipment, medical applications, packaging, and other technical uses. Its positioning is that of a specialist materials supplier rather than a consumer-facing finished-goods brand. The company’s differentiation rests on foam-process expertise, engineered material performance, branded product families, international production and distribution, and the ability to adapt foam characteristics to demanding end uses. Its current identity therefore combines a long industrial history with an innovation-led strategy focused on lightweight, crosslinked polymer materials.
History
Zotefoams traces its origins to 1921, when Charles Marshall founded Onazote Limited. The original business manufactured expanded rubber materials, but its long-term development moved toward polymer foams. Polyethylene foam production became an important capability during the 1960s, helping establish the technical foundation for the company’s later focus on closed-cell, crosslinked materials. During the 1970s, the business was acquired by BP. The period under BP ownership was important for the development of Zotefoams’ crosslinked-foam expertise. Rather than remaining solely a producer of expanded rubber, the company developed specialist knowledge in polymer processing and cellular-material performance. It was demerged from BP in 1992 and later listed on the London Stock Exchange in 1995 under the Zotefoams name. The company’s international commercial structure expanded around the turn of the century. In May 2000, Zotefoams established a global sales and marketing alliance with Sekisui Chemical Company. Sekisui became an agent and distributor for Zotefoams in continental Europe, Asia, and for certain customers in North America. In the same year, a fire at the Beddington facility in London destroyed approximately 30 percent of the building. The incident caused disruption to some customer deliveries and became one of the company’s notable operational events. During the 2010s, Zotefoams increased its direct international manufacturing presence. In 2017, it bought the remaining 50 percent of Kunshan Zotek King Lai, its Chinese joint venture, and consequently obtained full ownership of the Chinese foam-manufacturing business. This change strengthened its ability to manage production and market activity in China directly. Zotefoams subsequently broadened its activities through acquisitions. In November 2022, it acquired Refour ApS, a packaging-materials manufacturer based in Skanderborg, Denmark. In November 2025, it acquired Overseas Konstellation Company S.A., a Spanish manufacturer of technical foams, for consideration of up to €36 million. These transactions extended the company’s geographic reach and added complementary capabilities in packaging and technical foam materials. Innovation has remained central to the company’s development. In 2025, Zotefoams announced an expanded global innovation infrastructure, including a Global Innovation Hub at its long-established Croydon site. The hub was designed to bring research and development activities together and support new foam technologies. Across its history, the company has maintained a specialist position in closed-cell, crosslinked foams made from polyolefins and engineering polymers. Its materials are used in sectors such as aerospace, sports equipment, medical products, packaging, and other technical applications, allowing the business to compete through engineered performance and process expertise rather than through high-volume commodity production.
- 2025
Spanish acquisition and innovation infrastructure
[1]Zotefoams acquired Overseas Konstellation Company S.A. and announced a Global Innovation Hub at Croydon.
- 2022
Refour acquisition
[1]The company acquired Danish packaging-materials manufacturer Refour ApS.
- 2017
Full ownership of Kunshan Zotek King Lai
[1]Zotefoams acquired the remaining stake in its Chinese joint venture and took full ownership of the operation.
- 2000
Sekisui alliance and Beddington fire
[1]Zotefoams entered a distribution alliance with Sekisui Chemical, while a fire damaged part of its Beddington facility and disrupted deliveries.
- 1995
London Stock Exchange listing
[1]The company listed on the London Stock Exchange under the Zotefoams name.
- 1992
Demerger from BP
[1]Zotefoams was separated from BP as an independent business.
- 1970
Acquisition by BP
[1]The business was acquired by BP during the 1970s and continued developing crosslinked-foam expertise.
- 1960
Polyethylene foam production develops
[1]The company moved toward polymer-based foams and began producing polyethylene foams during the 1960s.
- 1921
Onazote Limited is founded
[1]Charles Marshall founded Onazote Limited, the business that ultimately developed into Zotefoams.
Products and positioning
A specialist, technology-led materials supplier focused on high-performance closed-cell crosslinked foams for industrial and technical applications.
Crosslinked polyolefin foam
Azote
Azote is a principal Zotefoams foam family associated with closed-cell, crosslinked polyolefin materials. The range is positioned for technical applications requiring lightweight construction and controlled physical performance, including cushioning, protection, insulation, and component fabrication. Specific grades can be selected according to density and application requirements.
Crosslinked polyethylene foam
Plastazote
Plastazote is a Zotefoams-branded family of crosslinked polyethylene foams. Its closed-cell structure supports uses where low weight, resilience, cushioning, buoyancy, and resistance to moisture are important. The material is used across technical and industrial applications, including protective packaging, medical products, sports equipment, and other fabricated components.
Brand decisions
2025
Acquire Overseas Konstellation CompanyM&ABackground
Zotefoams continued expanding its technical-foam activities through international acquisition.
Action taken
The company acquired Spanish technical-foam manufacturer Overseas Konstellation Company S.A. for consideration of up to €36 million.
Aftermath
The acquisition added a Spanish technical-foam business to Zotefoams’ international platform.
Maximum acquisition consideration. Up to €36 million (November 2025)
2025
Establish a Global Innovation HubStrategyBackground
Zotefoams announced a broader global innovation infrastructure to coordinate research and development.
Action taken
The company planned a Global Innovation Hub at its long-standing Croydon site.
Aftermath
The hub was intended to consolidate research and development and support new foam technologies.
2022
Acquire Refour ApSM&ABackground
Zotefoams sought to broaden its materials and packaging activities through acquisition.
Action taken
The company acquired Refour ApS, a packaging-materials manufacturer headquartered in Skanderborg, Denmark.
Aftermath
Refour became part of Zotefoams’ expanded business portfolio.
2017
Acquire the remaining stake in the Chinese joint ventureM&ABackground
Zotefoams had operated in China through Kunshan Zotek King Lai, a jointly owned foam-manufacturing venture.
Action taken
The company purchased the remaining 50 percent shareholding and took full ownership of the Chinese operation.
Aftermath
The transaction gave Zotefoams direct ownership and control of its Chinese manufacturing activities.
Recent events
- 2025
Zotefoams acquires Overseas Konstellation Company[1]
M&A
Zotefoams acquired Spanish technical-foam manufacturer Overseas Konstellation Company S.A. for consideration of up to €36 million.
- 2025
Zotefoams announces Global Innovation Hub[1]
Other
The company announced an expanded global innovation infrastructure, including a Global Innovation Hub at its Croydon site to consolidate research and development activity.
- 2022
Zotefoams acquires Refour ApS[1]
M&A
Zotefoams acquired Refour ApS, a packaging-materials manufacturer headquartered in Skanderborg, Denmark.
- 2017
Zotefoams takes full ownership of Chinese foam operation[1]
M&A
The company acquired the remaining half of its Chinese joint venture, Kunshan Zotek King Lai, gaining full ownership of the operation.
- 2000
Zotefoams enters global sales and marketing alliance with Sekisui Chemical[1]
Other
Zotefoams formed an international sales and marketing arrangement under which Sekisui Chemical acted as agent and distributor in continental Europe, Asia, and for some North American customers.
- 2000
Fire disrupts Zotefoams manufacturing facility in Beddington[1]
Other
A fire destroyed about 30 percent of the company’s Beddington facility and disrupted some deliveries to customers.
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