ExxonMobil adds butyl capacity in Japan

ERJ staff report (DS)

Tokyo -- Japan Butyl Co. Ltd. will increase its butyl rubber production capacity by 18,000 tons per year at the Kawasaki Plant. This expansion will increase its capacity to 98,000 tons per year when the project is completed in late 2010.

Japan Butyl is a 50:50 joint venture between JSR Corp. and ExxonMobil Yugen Kaisha (EMYK). EMYK is a 100% indirect subsidiary of Exxon Mobil Corporation of the US.

This expansion will incorporate ExxonMobil's recent advances in process technology. One such new proprietary technology advancement allows for the butyl polymerisation reaction, which normally occurs at -95°C, to operate at -75°C. This new technological advancement will provide significant energy and capital investment savings.

“These advancements are part of ExxonMobil Chemical's longstanding commitment to the butyl process, product and applications technology development," said Art Sullivan, vice president, Global Butyl Polymers Business Unit, ExxonMobil Chemical Company.

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Press release from ExxonMobil