SCHKOPAU, Germany (Dec. 20, 2010)—Styron L.L.C. said it will add a 50,000 metric tons per year of capacity for solution styrene-butadiene rubber at its Schkopau production site.
Construction will begin next May and the operation will start up in the fourth quarter of 2012, the firm said. The new capacity will be built next to existing production lines, and have the capability to make all existing clear and oil-extended Styron grades.
The need for greener high-performance tires in Europe, as well as other countries, spawned the expansion, Styron said. The firm pointed to mandatory performance labeling of tires, including a maximum rolling resistance, that will take effect in 2012, as well as CO2 emissions targets, as reasons for the project.
Styron said consumer demand is expected to drive growth for low rolling resistance tires.