Tokyo-headquartered Zeon Corporation, via its subsidiary Zeon Chemicals, has decided to expand its capacity for its Zetpol Hydrogenated Nitrile Rubber (HNBR) at its Texas plant in the US. The expansion will increase Zeon’s global HNBR capacity by approximately 25% and is expected to be completed by the beginning of 2025.
Zetpol is a specialty rubber with enhanced heat resistance made by hydrogenating oil-resistant nitrile rubber. Zeon produces Zetpol at its Texas plant as well as its Takaoka Plant (Takaoka City, Toyama Prefecture, Japan). Zeon last expanded Zetpol capacity at its Texas plant in 2020 and at its Takaoka plant in 2022.
Zetpol is utilised in a wide variety of demanding application in oil & gas, automotive, and industrial applications. It is said to be a performance upgrade versus traditional NBR rubber, providing improved heat and oil resistance and toughness, as well as a cost-effective option for applications utilising fluorinated rubber, such as FKM.