China halobutyl maker Cenway plans major expansion

Guangzhou, China – Chinese materials supplier Zhejiang Cenway is planning to add 150 kilotonnes per annum (ktpa) of capacity for halobutyl-rubber production, according the firm’s acting general manager Benz Li.

Speaking to ERJ earlier this year, Li said the expansion project at its facilities in Jiaxing, Zhejiang was expected to complete by end of 2018.

The project has €200-million investment earmarked for it and construction is to start this summer.

Halobutyl rubbers are used as air-impermeable liners in tires, among other applications. Cenway currently takes more than 18% of the Chinese market which had a total consumption of 271kt last year.

“Cenway is a new player on the table,” said Li, adding: “We have laid the groundwork for our position in the international market.”

In 2016, Cenway saw its revenue jump 31% year-on-year to €108 million, including 12% from exports, with a third of its sales going to the world’s top ten tire makers in China and overseas.

Summary of report published in the China Tire Report, a supplement of July/Aug issue of European Rubber Journal