ExxonMobil Chemical to expand Santoprene production

By Liz White, ERJ staff

Houston, Texas-ExxonMobil Chemical is adding a new Santoprene line at its Pensacola, Florida site to meet increasing demand for the thermoplastic vulcanizate. The new line is expected to be in use by mid 2006.

Mary Ahner, vice president for Ethylene Elastomers with the group, said, “This expansion demonstrates ExxonMobil Chemical's ongoing commitment to the elastomers business. … It allows us to meet the growing demand for these innovative, high-quality products.”

ExxonMobil describes Santoprene TPV as a recyclable material used in appliances, and the automotive, construction, consumer goods, electrical, fluid delivery and medical sectors. ExxonMobil's elastomer offerings include EPDM (conventional and metallocene-catalysed), modifiers, speciality elastomers and plastomers.

As well as the plant in Pensacola, Santoprene is made in Newport, UK and Wadsworth, Ohio, and marketed by ExxonMobil Chemical's affiliate, Advanced Elastomer Systems.