Styron breaks ground on Schkopau, Germany SSBR production line

Germany’s newly elected minister of economic affairs Prof. Dr. Birgitta Wolff joined other dignitaries and employees from Styron to celebrate the construction of Styron’s new SSBR (Solution Styrene Butadiene Rubber) production line on 11 May 2011. The groundbreaking ceremony marks the introduction of an additional 50,000 metric tons of production capacity at the firm’s facility in Schkopau, Germany. According to the company, this will allow Styron better supply the “increasing demand for high performance tyres.”

Styron vice president, emulsion polymers, Marco Levi described the additional SSBR capacity as “a win-win situation for all involved.” More sustainable solutions are being introduced for the global rubber industry and its end consumers. In his speech Levi marked this milestone as proof of Styron’s continual investment in the company’s core businesses.

“The investment in a new SSBR production line in Schkopau, Germany, is a strategic fit with our leadership position into the SSBR market,” said Levi. “We’ve been in this market for a long time and recognize the changing needs of our customers. Our additional SSBR capacity will help customers around the world develop their next generation of products and meet the increasing demand for greener, higher performance tyres.” 

Styron explained that the new production train will be built alongside existing trains and is expected to be fully operational by the fourth quarter of 2012. With this capacity expansion, Styron envisions the creation of approximately 30 additional jobs at the Schkopau site. According to Ralf Irmert, business development director, Synthetic Rubber at Styron, the new train will focus on SSBR production, with the capability to produce all existing clear and oil extended Styron grades.

“As a result of new environmental legislation and of consumer incentives, it’s apparent that high performance tyres with lower rolling resistance are the future. In close collaboration with our customers, we’re providing the market with solutions that result in better fuel efficiency and lower CO₂emissions,” said Irmert. “Thanks to our team in Schkopau, we’ve been able to take a leadership position in the SSBR market, and with this additional capacity and a next generation synthetic rubber in the pipeline, we’ll continue to do so in the future.”

Related news:

• Evonik erects isobutene plant at Antwerp site

• Yokohama team acknowledged for cashew nut shell innovation

• Dandelion rubber “of great interest” to Continental