Goodyear Chemical plant begins operations

BEAUMONT, Texas (Oct. 5)—Goodyear Chemical started full-scale operations Oct. 1 at its new $144 million solution polymer plant. The facility sits on 30 acres and uses state-of-the-science equipment and technology to produce 240 million pounds annually of synthetic rubber and speciality polymers, the company said. Polymers will be manufactured from raw materials, including butadiene and styrene, that will address tire performance attributes such as rolling resistance, traction and wear. The plant neighbors another Goodyear facility, and combined the factories will produce 1 billion pounds of polymers per year.