Bookmark 02-18-2014

Styron Increases SSBR Production Capacity

Styron, the global materials company and manufacturer of plastics, latex and rubber, announced that it will be doubling its Solution Styrene Butadiene Rubber (SSBR) production capacity of one train, after reaching an agreement with material supplier JSR to acquire its current production capacity rights at Styron’s world-scale rubber production hub in Schkopau, Germany. SSBR is used in producing high performance tires and green tires with lower rolling resistance.

Styron’s Schkopau production site currently hosts eight world-scale rubber trains that supply tire customers around the world. Prior to this agreement, JSR held the capacity rights to 50% of one of Styron’s three SSBR production trains in Schkopau. As a result of the agreement, as from April 1, 2014 Styron will have full capacity rights to this train, enabling it to increase its capabilities to serve the global tire market. As owner of the Schkopau rubber complex, Styron is uniquely positioned to capitalize on this expansion opportunity, which is strongly in line with its rubber business growth strategy, and is a cost-effective solution to meet increasing customer demands.