Evonik adding capacity for polybutadiene products in China

Essen, Germany – Evonik Industries AG is expanding production capacity for its silane-functionalised polybutadienes in China as part of a move to support regional growth in Asia.

The German group will ‘localise the final step’ for the production of Polyvest ST-E 60 in Shanghai, China, to enhance supply security, said Evonik 27 June.

The expansion is expected to “significantly increase the production capacity” of the polymers by the third quarter of the year, Evonik added, without giving further details.

The move, according to Evonik, will help meet ongoing demand for the high-performance additives with application in rubber compounds, adhesives, coatings, tires and sealants.

“This strategic investment will enhance our production capabilities and ensure our customers in Asia benefit from improved supply security and shorter lead times,” said Dr Anna Maria Ickert, head of Evonik Coating & Adhesive Resins.

The investment will help foster independent supply chains and bring products closer to customers, she added.

According to Evonik, Polyvest is used as a “reactive plasticiser” in tire formulations.

The “rubber-based nature” of the material makes it “highly compatible” with the rubber matrix of tire tread compounds.