InterviewStyron may build S-SBR plant in China – CEO

19 May 2011 10:40  [Source: ICIS news]

GUANGZHOU (ICIS)--Styron may build a solution styrene butadiene rubber (S-SBR) plant in China as part of a series of investments that it is considering to make over the next one to two years, the company’s CEO, Chris Pappas said on Thursday.

“Clearly that’s a possibility for us,” said Pappas, who was speaking at the sidelines of the 2011 Chinaplas exhibition.

Feedstock access and low operation costs are the most important parameters for choosing a location for the company’s new investments, he said.

Styrene and butadiene are the two key feedstocks to produce S-SBR.

S-SBR is used in the production of high-performance tyres. It is a vital raw material in markets such as China, where fuel economy and efficiency of automobiles are important, said Pappas.

Styron supplies S-SBR to Asia, including China, from its plant in Germany, he said.

“We see China and greater Asia as very important markets,” he added.

Styron will also be looking to make new investments for its other core products, namely latex, compounds and blends as well as its high-performance polycarbonate (PC) resin, he said.

“Our polycarbonate, as it turns out, is one of the highest performing grades in the market. It is very attractive for certain market segments. It is another possibility for us in terms of investment,” he said.

The 2011 Chinaplas exhibition in Guangzhou runs through 20 May.

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By: Chow Bee Lin
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