Sibur creates separate rubber division as unit triples in size

Moscow – PJSC Sibur Holding has established a standalone synthetic rubber division in response to a ‘more than three-fold growth’ in the business over the recent months. 

The new business, which has emerged out of Sibur’s plastics, elastomers and organic sysnthesis division, will focus on delivering ‘operational improvements’ for rubber production facilities, said Sibur in a statement 1 Dec. 

The division, said the Russian petrochemicals company, currently has a total capacity to produce 1.2 million tonnes per annum of rubber and elastomer products.

“The division will be responsible for developing new grades with unique consumer properties, creating customer services and offering comprehensive solutions, as well as expanding footprint across segments and geographies,” said Sibur.

The creation of the new division follows a 27 Sept merger of petrochemical assets between Sibur and Russian energy group TIAF.

The new unit combines Sibur’s existing rubber assets with those of TAIF, which includes major rubber and materials producer Nizhnekamskneftekhim, with the capacity to produce 800 kilotonnes per annum of elastomers.

“The combined company will be able to ramp up the efficiency of its rubber business by increasing the availability of feedstock, predominantly butadiene, and develop production of most popular butadiene-based rubbers going forward,” said Sibur.

Timur Shigabutdinov, member of the management board and managing director, will be in charge of the synthetic rubbers division. 

“Our priority is to respond to customer needs by further growing the business using the expertise under our belt, cutting-edge R&D assets, and access to the latest technologies,” said Shigabutdinov.

Once all the investment projects are completed, he went on to say, the initiatives will make Sibur “one of the world's top five synthetic rubber producers.”

The remaining plastics and organic synthesis division will be led by member of the management board and managing director Alexander Petrov.

Both divisions will be supervised by Sergey Komyshan, Sibur’s management board member and executive director.