Dynasol to expand nitrile rubber output at Mexican site

Altamira, Mexico – Dynasol is expanding nitrile butadiene rubber (NBR) production at its Altamira facility in Tamaulipas, Mexico, to address “current capacity constraints”.

In a 24 March statement, the Madrid-headquartered synthetic rubber maker said it was adding 11 million pounds (nearly 5 kilotonnes per annum) of NBR capacity as it moves to address growing demand.

The additional output is scheduled to come on stream in June, the company said but declined to disclose overall production capacity or the investment size.

The Altamira site also produces emulsion styrene butadiene rubber (ESBR), Dynasol confirmed, but no further production details were provided.

According to the producer, Dynasol’s NBR technology is backed by “over three decades of expertise” and has been developed both in-house and “in collaboration with strategic partners worldwide.”

Dynasol said it currently offers more than 40 NBR grades and maintains a 'global footprint', including a joint venture in China.

The materials are widely used in applications such as “sponge, footwear, wire and cable, plastic modification, seals, rolls, hoses and adhesives,” the company said.

Last July, Dynasol announced the addition of 20ktpa capacity for the manufacture of solution styrene butadiene rubber (SSBR) at its production site in Gajano, Santander, Spain.

The expansion was part of a programme - initially announced in 2022 - that also including a 10ktpa capacity increase for styrene-butadiene copolymer (SBC) line in Altamira. (ERJ report)

Dynasol's latest expansion announcement comes as other synthetic rubber makers have also unveiled plans to add nitrile rubber capacity globally.

In the US, Lion Elastomers disclosed plans to add NBR production at its Port Neches, Texas site in February, with commercial output scheduled for September. (ERJ report)

Meanwhile, also in February, Arlanxeo commissioned a new hydrogenated nitrile rubber (HNBR) plant in Changzhou, China, with initial capacity of 2.5ktpa and plans to double output to 5ktpa. (ERJ report)