Lion Elastomers to end rubber production at Texas plant

Orange, Texas – Lion Elastomers, LLC has announced plans to cease rubber production site in Orange, Texas, which it acquired from Firestone Polymers in 2019 (ERJ report).

The decision will affect around 100 employees, excluding contractors, at the facility which has been in operation since 1961.

“North America’s butadiene elastomers market is changing rapidly and profoundly with a marked decrease in demand and profitability,” said Lion in a 9 Oct statement.

Despite “significant investments” over the past five years to improve technical capabilities and product offerings, the company said that halting production at Orange was “critical in its strategy to position the company for long-term growth and resilience.”

The Orange plant manufactures polybutadiene and styrene-butadiene copolymers under the Stereon, Diene and Duradene brand names, which were retained following the acquisition.

Commenting on the move, Bobby Rikhoff, VP manufacturing at Lion Elastomers said winding down rubber production was a decision “not taken lightly.”

The company, he said, “explored many options” before coming to this decision.

In addition to the Orange facility, Lion operates plants in Geismar, Louisiana, and Port Neches, Texas.