Sibur to Produce New Premium Compound Rubber

Sibur LLC reports that investment in a project centred on producing new rubbers at its Voronezhsintezkauchuk facility in Southwest Russia has been finalised. The project involves transferring a part of its polybutadiene rubber production to neodymium catalysts system technology (SKD-ND) plus the commencement of soluble butadiene-styrene rubber (DSSK) production.

This modified technology, says Sibur, will enable the company to produce new types of compound with durability, wear resistance and environmental parameters that compare with the highest global standards. These compounds will be used in the production of medium and premium segment tyres. While overall butadiene rubber output at the Voronezhsintezkauchuk site will still total 160 tonnes, 70 thousand tonnes will be produced using the new technology. Sibur adds that in future, should demand be sufficient, the plant may completely change over to the production of these new rubbers.

Investment in the project totals 800 million roubles (£15.7 million), and Sibur reports that most technology solutions used were implemented by the plant’s own research and development centres. An economic benefit the project has delivered, adds Sibur, is a five to seven per cent reduction in energy costs. At present, test rubber samples are being evaluated by potential customers prior to the production units being made fully operational.

“As the leading tyre manufacturers set up production sites in Russia, Sibur aims to meet the growing demand in high quality rubbers,” said company president Dmitry Konov. “We are improving the profitability of our plants through comprehensive dealing with environmental, technology upgrade and operating cost reduction issues.”