Trinseo expands S-SBR production 33% to meet tyre demand

Trinseo announced that it will expand capacity for Solution-Styrene Butadiene Rubber (S-SBR) on 24 October 2016. According to the company, this increased investment is a direct response to rising customer demand for this technology.

The asset upgrade at Trinseo’s Schkopau, Germany plant will add 50 KT of S-SBR capacity, increasing the company’s global S-SBR production by 33 per cent. This additional capacity is expected to be online in January 2018.

“This investment is in line with Trinseo’s strategy to grow our Performance Materials businesses, in particular our S-SBR business, which has seen very strong market demand,” said Hayati Yarkadas, senior vice president and business president, Performance Materials. “This expansion in Schkopau is the fastest solution to meet our customers’ growing demand for our Sprintan Rubber products, as well as next generation development grades of advanced S-SBR.”

According to the company, Trinseo’s Sprintan Advanced S-SBR Rubber grades provide “improved lower rolling resistance for performance and fuel efficiency, as well as wet grip and durability.”

“Our expansion of S-SBR is a direct response to customers’ demand, and consistent with sustainability trends around the world,” said Samer Al-Jabi, Global business director for Synthetic Rubber.