PolymerLatex to add world-scale X-NBR latex plant in Malaysia

Marl, Germany - PolymerLatex is to add capacity for carboxylated nitrile latex to meet the needs of the latex glove industry worldwide.

The first phase is a small (20 ktpa) expansion to the company's existing plant in Filago, Italy. This is designed to meet short term needs. The expansion will be on stream in the first quarter of 2008.

The main investment, however, is a brand new 100 ktpa plant in Malaysia, designed to be on stream from the thrid quarter of 2009. This world-scale plant will be located in Johor Baru, in southern Malaysia. Polymerlatex said it, "will cover future growth of PolymerLatex highly valued glove dipping customers in 2009/10 and beyond."

PolymerLatex said it will obtain local supplier status to the glove dipping industry with all the benefits lying in a highly integrated production facility with the near raw material sources and an optimum logistic set up with Johor port next door.

Demand for synthetic latex gloves has been growing at double-digit rates in recent years as healthcare professionals seek to avoid sensitising their employees and patients to potential allergens found in proteins associated with natural rubber latex. Currently Ansell, one of the largest glove-makers in the world, reports that around 29 percent of its examination glove business is in synthetic latex, rather than natural rubber.

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Press release from Polymerlatex