Covestro to build high-performance elastomers plant in Thailand 

Rayong, Thailand – Covestro AG is constructing a new production plant for high performance elastomers in Thailand as demand continues to grow for the materials.

The new site will be constructed with an investment in the “high mid double-digit million euro”, and is set for completion at the end of 2022, Covestro announced 12 Nov. 

The production capacity of the unit was not disclosed. 

The plant, to be built in the Map Ta Phut industrial zone, in Rayon, southern Thailand, will manufacture Vulkollan-branded elastomer materials, which according to Covestro are “one of the most powerful elastomers on the market.” 

The product offers high mechanical strength and abrasion resistance, and is typically used in wheels of forklift trucks as well as couplings and seals for the engineering industry.

According to Covetro's website, Vulkollan is based on naphthalenediimide (NDI) polymers and can be produced in solid and cellular grades.

"Due to its extremely high mechanical strength and dynamic load capacity, the elastomer is the engineering material of choice for demanding applications," explained Dr Thomas Braig, head of Elastomers. 

In addition, the material provides “long-term functional reliability,” which Braig said optimises the total cost of ownership compared to other elastomers. 

“This makes Vulkollan the perfect material not only in the material handling industry, but also for a growing number of engineering applications," he said.

Covestro said the investment will further improve its infrastructure and customer proximity and strengthen its presence in the Asia-Pacific region.

The Map Ta Phut site is also home to Covestro’s polycarbonate films production operation in Thailand, which has recently undergone an expansion project.