UK-headquartered Synthomer, a worldwide leader in carboxylated Styrene Butadiene Latex (SBR) for carpet, paper and speciality applications, has expanded its Kluang plant in Johor State, Malaysia, to produce a range of speciality SBR to support the growing demand for its products in the construction, carpet and technical paper markets in the Asia Pacific region. Plant commissioning is scheduled to begin in Q2 2015 with products available to customers from July 2015.
To support this technology expansion Synthomer’s existing Innovation Centre in Kluang, which currently supports the Nitrile Latex, Natural Rubber, Waterbased Acrylic and Vinyl Dispersions and Alkyd Resins product lines, is being strengthened to support the SBR business. In addition to Kluang, Synthomer’s China Technical Centre in Shanghai will support these product lines with customers in China.
Derick Whyte, Executive Vice President for Asia, said: “As part of Synthomer’s broader strategy for growth in Asia Pacific, Malaysia will become our centre of competence for SBR products in the region. This will allow us to rapidly grow our footprint in some very interesting speciality SBR markets in the region and reinforce our position at the forefront of water-based emulsion technology in Asia. The new products made in Kluang will support our current customers across the region through an improved supply chain with shorter lead times and importantly increased technical service”.