Malaysian Rubber Board, Kraiburg form JV

HERTFORD, England (June 13)—The commercial arm of the Malaysian Rubber Board has formed a joint venture with Kraiburg (M) Sdn. Bhd. to exploit patented technology to make thermoplastic elastomers based on epoxidized natural rubber (ENR). Based in Nilai, Malaysia, the 50:50 venture, called EK Polymers, will sub-license production and marketing of ENR-based materials to Kraiburg TPE GmbH, according to a statement from Elgem Technology Co. Ltd., the MRB's commercial arm. EK Polymers plans to launch an oil resistant thermoplastic vulcanizate based on ENR and polyolefin in the second half of the year. The material, which offers good oil swell resistance and high-temperature performance, is targeted for automotive applications, Elgem Technology said.