Styron's new Solution Styrene Butadiene Rubber (SSBR) production line in Schkopau, Germany has added 50,000 metric tonne of new capacity. Photo taken in November of 2011.
BERWYN, US: Styron opened its new solution styrene butadiene rubber (SSBR) production line, which introduces an additional capacity of 50,000 metric tonne at the production facility in Schkopau, Germany. This world-scale unit has begun operations, to supply Styron’s tire customers around the world.
During the opening ceremony, Styron leaders joined employees, Dr Reiner Haseloff, Minister-President of Saxony-Anhalt Germany and other dignitaries.
“SSBR is a strategic business within Styron and is core to the company’s growth plans. Styron is dedicated to partnering with its customers to design and develop rubber technology that will help them upgrade their line of tires to address global trends and regulatory standards,” said Marco Levi, Vice President and General Manager for Emulsion Polymers, Styron.
The new production train is built alongside existing trains, fully in line with initial construction plans, within budget and fast in comparison to projects of similar scale and complexity in the industry. The train focuses on SSBR production, with the capability to produce all existing clear and oil extended Styron grades.
Styron built this new train in response to the increasing market need for high performance tires. “Driven by sustainability goals, economical advantages and pushed by legislation/regulations, automobile producers and tire producers need to develop products with long life, fuel savings and safe technology. Accordingly, there is a need for tires with low rolling resistance combined with excellent wet grip and abrasion resistance in the tread,” explained Francesca Reverberi, Business Director, Rubber, Styron.
“Using SSBR in the compounds is seen as a key enabling technology for delivering these three contradictory characteristics. Our people have the know-how to design the polymer but also to produce it on a big scale,” said Reverberi.
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