Kuraray establishes JV for butadiene derivatives

Tokyo – Kuraray Co. Ltd has entered a joint venture agreement with Thai petrochemical company PTT Global and Sumitmo Corp. to produce butadiene derivatives in Thailand.

To be based in Rayong, Thailand, Kuraray GC Advanced Materials Co. Ltd, will produce heat-resistant polyamide (PA9T) and hydrogenated styrenic block copolymer (HSBC) products.

Hemaraj Eastern Industrial Estate (Map Ta Phut complex) in Rayong has been identified as a candidate production site.

The decision builds on an agreement signed in September 2016 to conduct a front-end engineering design (FEED) study for the project.

According to previous announcements, the JV will produce 13,000 tonnes/year of PA9T and 16,000 tons/year of HSBC.

Kuraray will also solely carry out production of 3-methyl-1,5-pentanediol (MPD), one of the company’s isobutene derivatives, on the same premises.

The company will establish a wholly-owned subsidiary, Kuraray Advanced Chemicals (Thailand), for the MPD plant, which has previously been announced to have a capacity of 5,000 tonnes/year.

PTTGC will supply butadiene and isobutene as key raw materials for the new plant.

Kuraray will hold 53.3% of the shares in the JV, while PTTG will own 33.4% of the shares and Sumitomo 13.3% of the shares.

The JV will be headquartered in Bangkok.