EXXONMOBIL Yugen Kaisha (EMYK)’s joint venture with JSR Corporation in Japan, Japan Butyl Co. (JBC), will expand the capacity of its halobutyl rubber plant at Kashima to 80,000 tonnes/year by 2012.
“Demand for halobutyl rubber is expected to grow at about 6% per year, mainly in the Asia Pacific region,” said John Lyon, Vice President, Butyl Polymers, ExxonMobil Chemical. “The expansion by our affiliate’s joint venture at Kashima will add 10,000 tonnes/year of capacity in the region. This aligns with ExxonMobil Chemical’s long-term commitment to meet industry demand.”
This is the second capacity expansion in five years at the Kashima halobutyl rubber plant. The JBC butyl polymers manufacturing plant at Kawasaki also completed a major expansion in 2010 to bring its total capacity to 98,000 tonnes/year. That expansion incorporated ExxonMobil proprietary technology that enables significant energy savings. ExxonMobil has more than doubled its global halobutyl rubber capacity since 1995.
ExxonMobil Japan comprises ExxonMobil Yugen Kaisha and its related companies and subsidiaries including TonenGeneral Sekiyu K.K. and Tonen Chemical Corp., and is a major manufacturer and marketer in Japan of petroleum fuels, lubricants and petrochemicals. ExxonMobil Yugen Kaisha is a 100% indirect subsidiary of US-based ExxonMobil. TonenGeneral, an affiliate of ExxonMobil Yugen Kaisha, which holds 50.02% of its shares, is listed on the Tokyo Stock Exchange.(PRA)
Asia's First E-Magazine for the Rubber Industry