Multiple SR majors impose unexpected supply restrictions

LONDON—Compounders and processors of synthetic rubber-based materials are having to deal with a series of unexpected polymer-supply restrictions introduced over the past two weeks.

On Aug. 24, Kraton Corp. issued a force majeure notice on SEBS elastomer due to an unplanned outage at LyondellBasell's cracker at its shared site in Berre, France.

The LyondellBasell unit supplies hydrogen and butadiene feedstock used in the production of the Kraton hydrogenated styrene-butadiene block copolymer.

In Italy, Versalis S.p.A. announced the imposition of force majeure on the supply of EPDM rubber produced at its Ferrara plant.

Versalis' Aug. 22 notice linked the decision to an emergency situation caused by the impact of extreme weather on infrastructure in the Emilia Romagna region.

Meanwhile, on Aug. 15, Arlanxeo issued force majeure on polychloroprene rubber due to an interruption to feedstock-supply at its Dormagen site in Germany.

Chloroprene production was stopped after an unexpected outage at an on-site Covestro facility halted the supply of chlorine and caustic soda, used in the production of polychloroprene.

Arlanxeo said it was unclear when production would resume, though Covestro has given Aug. 31 as an estimated date for a "partial resumption" of operations at its Chempark Dormagen unit.