Lanxess predicts tight polybutadiene market
ERJ staff report (DS)
Duesseldorf, Germany -- Lanxess AG is predicting a tight polybutadiene market for at least the next five years. Dr Joachim Grub, head of Lanxess' butadiene rubber business unit, speaking at the company's media day in Duesseldorf, told journalists that a combination of tyre labels and increased tyre production in developing regions will drive demand for high-performance polybutadiene rubber.
He said this will mean that all variants of BR will be in tight supply, but that neodymium catalysed BR (Nd-BR) will be especially in demand.
In response, the company is de-bottlenecking its site in Dormagen, Germany, to add 15 kt/year of Nd-BR. it is also adding 20kt/year of Nd-BR at its plant in Cabo, Brazil and adding a further 15 kt/year of Nd-BR at its plant in Orange, Texas.
The company also announced that it will make a decision within six months on a 100kt - 150 kt/year plant in Asia (see separate story)
This is an external link and should open in a new window. If the window does not appear, please check your pop-up blocking software. ERJ is not responsible for the content of external sites.
Presentation by Dr Grub from Lanxess
ERJ story on Lanxess plans for Asian BR plant from ERJ
This article is only available to subscribers - subscribe today
Subscribe for unlimited access. A subscription to European Rubber Journal includes:
- Every issue of European Rubber Journal (6 issues) including Special Reports & Maps.
- Unlimited access to ERJ articles online
- Daily email newsletter – the latest news direct to your inbox
- Access to the ERJ online archive