HOUSTON—Kraton Corp. will increase operational capacity of Sylvatraxx tread enhancement additives to meet growing demand in the tire industry.
Kraton, a global producer of styrenic block copolymers, specialty polymers and performance products derived from pine wood pulping co-products, anticipates that the expansion will result in a 20 percent increase in production at the Niort plant in France, according to a company release.
The TEA demand growth is driven by an increased need for safety and fuel economy as well as sustainability considerations, Kraton said.
The expansion is expected to be complete by fourth quarter 2018.
The Niort facility supplies a wide range of products to the tire industry, including pure aromatic monomer resins and aromatically modified terpene-based resins with a higher renewable content, said Kraton.
Kraton is exploring additional options for manufacturing expansion to meet long-term demand growth.