Nitrile rubber JV relocating plant, increasing production

NANTONG, China—Arlanxeo and TSRC Corp. are to relocate their joint venture plant from the northern to the southern section of the Nantong economy and technology development area (NETDA) chemical park in China.

The relocation of the Arlanxeo-TSRC (Nantong) Chemical Industrial Co. Ltd. facility in Jiangsu Province will support the local government environment-protection agenda along the Yangtze River, Arlanxeo announced Dec. 23.

With the move, it said, designed capacity for acrylonitrile-butadiene rubber (NBR) will increase from 30 metric kilotons per annum (ktpa) to 40ktpa "to reinforce global NBR supply and support local market growth demands."

Established in 2010, the JV operation supplies a range of NBR materials for applications in mobility, industrial and other industries.

"With the aim to establish one of the most modern NBR plants in the world, the company will strengthen its business competitiveness in China," according to Arlanxeo's statement.

Construction work will start in the middle of 2022, Arlanxeo said, adding that supply from the existing plant will be sufficient to offer business continuity until the new plant is fully operational.

Arlanxeo employs around 350 people in China, with production facilities at a headquartered location in Changzhou and in Nantong, as well as a sales and administration office in Shanghai.

Headquartered in Taiwan, TSRC supplies synthetic rubber and styrenic block copolymers for applications including tires, footwear, adhesives and plastics modification.