Cortec Corporation has entered its 50th year of operations, marking five decades of innovation in Vapor phase Corrosion Inhibitor (VpCI) technology and sustainable industrial packaging. The milestone was celebrated at the company's 2026 World Sales Meeting, attended by distributors from 28 countries.Founded by Boris Miksic in a Minnesota garage in October 1977, Cortec has expanded into a global corrosion protection company with a distribution network spanning 113 countries. Under Miksic's leadership as founder and CEO, the company continues to advance corrosion engineering, environmentally responsible product development and international operations.Over the past five decades, Cortec has secured more than 60 patents for its technological innovations. Its contributions have earned several industry recognitions, including the NACE Fellow Award in 2000, Frank Newman Speller Award in 2004 and NACE Distinguished Organization Award in 2004, presented to Miksic and/or Cortec by NACE International, the predecessor of the Association for Materials Protection and Performance (AMPP).Sustainability remains central to Cortec's product development strategy. The company has developed water-based protective coatings that provide effective corrosion inhibition while generally offering lower volatile organic compound (VOC) emissions than conventional oil- and solvent-based alternatives.Recycling has also been a significant focus since the 1990s, with Cortec incorporating recycled materials into its VpCI films without compromising protective performance. The company has recently introduced a minimum of 20 per cent recycled content across its VpCI-126 films and bags, supporting international manufacturers in meeting recycled-content requirements.Cortec has further expanded its sustainable packaging portfolio through biodegradable and compostable VpCI films, protective papers, stretch films and shrink films. In the early 2010s, it became one of the first 500 companies to participate in the USDA BioPreferred Programme, subsequently earning recognition as a BioPreferred Programme Pioneer.The company's diversification into biotechnology began with its acquisition of Bionetix International in 2010. This expansion strengthened its capabilities in nature-based solutions for waste management and environmental remediation.Cortec has also strengthened its international presence through investments in Croatia and the expansion of its European operations. The company operates across four countries on three continents, supporting its worldwide distribution network and industrial customers.As it enters its fifth decade milestone year, Cortec aims to build on its technological expertise, sustainability initiatives and international partnerships to develop advanced corrosion prevention solutions for industries worldwide.