BST, JSR to jointly build S-SBR plant in Mab Ta Phut, Thailand

01 March 2011 04:49  [Source: ICIS news]

SINGAPORE (ICIS)--Bangkok Synthetics (BST) said on Tuesday it plans to build the first solution-polymerisation styrene butadiene rubber (S-SBR) plant at Mab Ta Phut, Thailand, in partnership with Japanese producer JSR Corp.

BST and JSR signed a letter of intent to set up a 49:51 joint venture (JV) to construct the plant, which would have a capacity of 50,000–100,000 tonnes/year, BST said in a statement.

The S-SBR plant was slated to start operations in June 2013, BST said in a statement.

Financial details of the project were not disclosed.

“JSR will provide the technology license of the high performance S-SBR to the joint venture and BST will supply a crucial raw material. Both contributions create synergy and will enhance the capability of the joint venture company,” the statement said.

S-SBR is a synthetic rubber mainly used in tyres and industrial applications.

The material is deemed most suitable for manufacturing fuel-efficient, high-performance tyres, and demand for that product would likely continue to grow in the coming years, BST said.

Apart from the S-SBR project, BST said it was also building a commercial nitrile butadiene (NB) latex plant that should come on stream in 2012 as it is currently developing an NB latex business mainly for medical glove applications.

The capacity of the NB latex plant was not disclosed.

“The collaboration with the world’s S-SBR leader, JSR, will further enhance the variety of BST’s rubber products to meet the fast-moving domestic and export demand,” BST said.

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By: Pearl Bantillo
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