2014-2015 Exhibitions
Taiwanese styrenic block copolymer (SBC) producer TSRC has started up its 25,000- tonne/year styrene isoprene styrene (SIS) block polymer plant in Nantong, China, said Christopher Mudd, President/General Manager of Dexco Polymers, a group company.
Speaking at Chinaplas organiser Adsale’s Media Day, Mudd said the Vector branded SIS copolymer product capacity will serve Asia Pacific and the global markets.
“Customers have been asking of this for the last three years. Our strategy is to offer customers global reach and to set up supply feeds near to feedstock supply.”
The US$356.5 million Nantong site has a total capacity of 320,000 tonnes and produces not only SIS but also SEBS, BR, ESBR and undertakes compounding too.
Meanwhile, Mudd said that TSRC/Dexco is not stopping here.
It will start up a new SIS plant in a joint venture with Taiwanese petrochemical firm CPC Corp, known as TAMC (Taiwan Advanced Materials Corp), by 2016. The NT8.6 billion plant will have a capacity of 30,000 tonnes/year, according to Mudd.
TAMC’s venture also includes C5 separation, isoprene monomer extraction, and a tackifier plant. Feedstock will be from CPC’s co-located naphtha plants, said Mudd, adding that this plant will be a significant step for Taiwan’s petrochemical industry.
He also said that the global SIS market is 300,000 to 400,000 tonnes worldwide with a high growth rate typically twice the GDP. The growth rate is especially high in China, he added, with hygiene films, adhesives, baby diapers and personal applications driving the demand for SIS.
Other expansions include a SEBS plant in Kaoshiung, Taiwan, to be set up by 2015.
TSRC acquired US-headquartered Dexco, formed as a joint venture between Dow Chemical and Exxon Corp, in 2011.
(PRA)
