US-based styrenic block copolymers producer Kraton Performance Polymers has formed a 50:50 joint venture with Formosa Petrochemical to construct the previously announced 30,000-tonne hydrogenated styrenic block copolymer (HSBC) plant in Mailiao, Taiwan. It will start up by 2014.
Kraton says the plant will employ state-of-the-art technology and support global demand for its differentiated HSBCs. It will also provide significant, additional supply capability.
In 2011, Kraton expanded its Cariflex isoprene rubber (IR) latex capacity to support the continued growth in demand for Cariflex products. The company has also executed a contract with its manufacturing provider in Japan, which will result in a doubling of Cariflex latex manufacturing capacity in Japan by mid-2013.
To further support its customers and the expansions listed above, the company recently opened a new innovation centre in Shanghai, China. The facility is three times larger than the previous facility and better accommodates its technical staff, which has doubled over the past 18 months. The new laboratory builds upon Kraton’s capabilities including wet chemistry, flame testing and rubber processing. Kraton says it will be able to better serve existing and new customers in all segments of SBCs as well as Cariflex IR and IR latex.(PRA)
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