ERJ staff report (SS)
Tokyo -- Asahi Kasei Chemicals plans to increase capacity for solution-polymerized styrene-butadiene rubber (S-SBR) by 10 kilotonnes per annum to 230 ktpa, at its plant in Kawasaki, Japan, with start-up scheduled for April 2009.
The company said in a 21 Feb statement that demand for tyres that provide improved fuel efficiency is rising throughout the world.
Therefore the additional capacity, which will be for modified S-SBR for high-performance silica-compound tyres, will enable AKC to "increase supply in line with this growing demand," said AKC.
The expansion is part of AKC's strategic plan to focus on synthetic rubber operations.
AKC said that it is planning to further expand capacity in 2010, and is looking at the possibilities of establishing a new production base Asia.
This is an external link and should open in a new window. If thewindow does not appear, please check your pop-up blocking software. ERJis not responsible for the content of external sites.
Press release from Asahi Kasei
