Arlanxeo meets demand with new polybutadiene production line in Brazil

THE HAUGUE, Netherlands—Arlanxeo is committed to supplying reliable rubber to its customers in Latin America, and its new production line in Brazil underscores this commitment.

The Netherlands-based producer of synthetic rubber and performance elastomers, announced Feb. 8 the opening of its new 65,000-metric-ton polybutadiene (BR) production line in the Triunfo petrochemical complex in Rio Grande do Sul.

The new line will supplement the company's existing production capacity in Brazil, Arlanxeo said, and "reinforces our commitment to meeting customer demand for reliable, locally produced BR in Latin America."

BR is produced by chemically linking multiple molecules of butadiene to form polymers, according to Alranxeo.

The polymer, it added, is noted for its high resistance to abrasion and cracking and its low heat buildup. The material is used to produce tire treads, belts, hoses, gaskets and other automobile parts, as well as heels and soles for footwear.

"Arlanxeo continues to invest in high growth markets, and our new polybutadiene production line reflects our confidence in Brazil and the broader Latin American market," Arlanxeo CEO Donald Chen said in a statement.

Arlanxeo added that its commitment to Brazil also includes recent investments in a new nitrile rubber production line in Duque de Caxias, Rio de Janeiro; a new warehouse operation for polychloroprene in Sao Paul; along with the existing world scale production facilities in Caxias, Triunfo and Cabo; and a business center in Sao Paulo.

"Arlanxeo's state-of-the-art BR production line in Brazil is a direct response to growing demand for BR in Latin America," said Angelo Brazil, Arlanxeo's LATAM regional head. "Customers can rely on Arlanxeo to deliver high quality, locally produced BR for the tire and plastic markets, without needing to navigate complex global supply chains."