Singapore-based Cariflex Pte Ltd, a supplier of polyisoprene rubber latex for medical-end markets and wholly owned subsidiary of South Korea’s DL Chemical, recently inaugurated its new polyisoprene latex plant at Jurong Island. With an investment of US$355 million, the plant is said to be the largest of its kind globally and will significantly expand Cariflex’s production capacity to meet growing demand for high-quality synthetic latex used in medical and protective applications, it adds.
Supported by Singapore’s Economic Development Board (EDB) and JTC, the facility plays a key role in Cariflex’s ability to serve Southeast Asia, home to critical manufacturing sites for surgical gloves and condoms. Spanning 6.1 ha, this plant supports growing demand in these markets as well as others such as non-surgical medical gloves, adhesives, and laminates, further broadening the company’s diversification.
Over the past two decades, Cariflex has expanded its manufacturing capacity in Brazil and previously, Japan, including a US$50 million expansion of its Paulinia facility in 2021.
Ryu Sang Woo, CEO at Cariflex, said: “We have strategically located our new facility here in Singapore, at the doorstep of our key customers. Singapore’s thriving financial, innovation, and logistics hubs, along with a highly skilled workforce and strong IP protection, made this the ideal choice for our investment.”
“This new facility will allow us to expand production, while providing our customers with a diverse and reliable supply of high-quality materials, reinforcing our leadership in the global polyisoprene latex market,” he added.
Construction of the plant began in 2022, with operations commencing in November 2024. The plant is designed for modular expansion to accommodate future demand growth. When fully ramped up, it will double Cariflex’s 2023 manufacturing capacity for polyisoprene latex.
The facility has created approximately 80 new permanent roles, the majority filled by Singaporeans. Cariflex has invested in developing its talent through training programs at its Brazil operations and at DL Chemical’s sites in Korea, it says.
Cariflex’s new facility leverages Singapore’s advanced infrastructure and strong manufacturing base to deliver both operational efficiency and environmental sustainability. Located on Jurong Island’s chemical hub, the plant benefits from a plug-and-play environment with shared utilities, integrated logistics, and proximity to suppliers.
The site features a Direct-Connect production model, a more sustainable approach compared to traditional methods. Unlike the non-integrated process adopted previously —where raw materials had to be transported, repackaged, and redissolved before production—the Singapore facility streamlines manufacturing, reducing carbon emissions and improving efficiency. This approach not only enhances reliability and speed-to-market but also reduces the plant’s environmental footprint, aligning with global customer expectations for sustainable and resilient supply chains.
In 2020, Cariflex relocated its global headquarters to Singapore to strengthen integration between its commercial and manufacturing operations.
Cariflex adds it is the only company globally that manufactures anionic catalyst-based synthetic rubber and latex, known for its purity, transparency and softness. Cariflex’s polyisoprene latex is primarily used in the production of surgical gloves and condoms, with strong demand from developed markets such as the US due to its hypoallergenic properties and superior comfort compared to alternative offerings. With its expanded capacity, Cariflex can now explore new applications in medical gloves, adhesives, and laminates.