Chinese group starts trial production at 200ktpa synthetic rubber project

Ningbo, China – China’s Zhongzhe Holding Group has moved its synthetic rubber project in Ningbo into trial production, with first output expected by the end of March.

The project, located in Beilun district, involves total investment of around RMB3 billion (€400 million) and is designed to produce high-end materials for “green, high-performance tires.”

In a 25 March statement, the Ningbo Beilun District media centre said the facility had completed integrated commissioning and process verification, marking its entry into the trial production phase.

The project is expected to “fill a gap” in Zhejiang province’s supply of advanced tire materials, helping to “break foreign monopolies” and enable import substitution of key materials.

Zhongzhe broke ground on the facility in early 2025, with plans to build capacity for up to 200ktpa of synthetic rubber. (ERJ report)

As reported by ERJ, the site will produce solution styrene-butadiene rubber (SSBR) and butadiene rubber (BR), to meet demand from the new energy vehicle segment.

Annual output value is expected to reach about RMB3.5 billion once fully operational.

Beilun authorities said the project benefited from an accelerated approval process, with all construction permits secured “within four days” of land acquisition, enabling “construction immediately after land acquisition.”

Zhongzhe Holding Group chairman Yang Herong said the approach allowed the project to be completed six months ahead of schedule, securing an earlier market entry window.