Asahi Kasei has decided to increase the production capacity of its plant in Singapore for solution-polymerized styrene-butadiene rubber (S-SBR).

Demand for tires that provide enhanced fuel-efficiency has been growing rapidly and is forecasted to continue to do so as tire production in emerging countries grows in line with greater motorization and as environmental regulations around the world become increasingly stringent.

Under our Cs for Tomorrow 2018 medium-term management initiative, Asahi Kasei has positioned S-SBR operations as a key strategic business for global development with an emphasis on expansion in automotive applications. Asahi Kasei has successfully achieved a high-level balance of braking performance and fuel efficiency while also improving abrasion resistance and handling stability characteristics, mainly with the continuous polymerization process. S-SBR made with technology developed by Asahi Kasei enjoys a strong reputation among tire manufacturers around the world as an optimal material for tires. Asahi Kasei currently has S-SBR plants in Japan (Kanagawa and Oita prefectures) and Singapore. The Singapore plant began operation in 2013 and produces the latest high-performance grades. To meet further demand growth and satisfy customer needs, we decided to reinforce our supply capability by expanding both of the S-SBR lines in Singapore by a combined 30,000 tons/year, raising total capacity in Singapore to 130,000 tons/year.

We will continue to expand production capacity while advancing development of greater product performance in order to solidify our world-leading position in this field.

Outline of the capacity expansion

Company name

Asahi Kasei Synthetic Rubber Singapore Pte. Ltd.

Managing Director

Tatsuya Koike

Ownership

Asahi Kasei 100%

Location

Tembusu district, Jurong Island, Singapore

Expanded capacity

Approximately 30,000 tons/year (total increasing to 130,000 tons/year)

Production

S-SBR for fuel-efficient tires

Start-up

January 2019