Mitsui mulls start-up of Singapore elastomers plant

Tokyo – Mitsui Chemicals has "yet to decide on" when it will actually start up its 120ktpa Tafmer polyolefin elastomers (POE) plant on Jurong Island, Singapore.

Originally slated for start-up by March of this year, the facility is currently in trial operation, with commercial operations now due to begin in the second half of Mitsui’s fiscal year – to March 2026.

"Even after start-up, we do not expect an immediate ramp up to full capacity," explained Osamu Yoshida, managing executive officer & CFO, Mitsui Chemicals Inc.

Yoshida went on to note a "challenging supply-demand balance" for POE materials, amid efforts to expand sales of Tafmer into new application areas.

Last year, Mitsui reported increased competition in the solar panels market – the main focus of its POEs expansion – particularly due to inventory adjustments in China.

The group is, therefore, working to expand sales of Tafmer to high-performance packaging materials, engineering polymers, footwear and other applications.

Regarding automotive applications, Yoshida, said “some of our customers are bound by contracts to procure specified materials over fixed periods of time and therefore switching is expected to take some time.”