Asahi Kasei Expanding Capacity For Solution Polymerized SBR

摘要

Tokyo-Asahi Kasei Chemicals last week announced plans to increase its capacity for solution polymerized styrene butadiene rubber (S-SBR) by 10,000 t/y at its Kawasaki plant in Japan. Citing the "increasingly stringent regulation" of environmental emissions and high fuel costs, Asahi Kasei noted that worldwide demand for tires that provide improved fuel efficiency is rising. The new capacity will be for modified S-SBR for use in high-performance silica compound tires, which provide "exceptional braking and handling performance as well as fuel efficiency."