Conti to bring Anhui factory on stream early next year

ERJ staff report (DS)

Qingdao, China -- Continental is to begin production of rubber compounds at its Anhui, China factory early next year. Tyre production will begin later in 2011.

Yvonne Polaster, Director Purchasing Polymers & Fillers for Continental said the unit will begin production of compound for its ETO tyre operations from the beginning of 2011 and will be used internally at other factories in the group.

The company previously said it would be on stream from the end of 2010, having installed the first machines in late June.

She added that the company has recently extended its purchasing operations in the region, in advance of the start-up of the Anhui plant, and that this has resulted in strong contacts with local producers. Over time, Continental hopes to integrate those producers with its global sourcing network, using some of their materials in plants around the world, including Europe.

Polaster was speaking exclusively to ERJ at the official opening of Rhodia's new silica factory in Qingdao, China on 20 October.