(plastech)
-- ExxonMobil Yugen Kaisha (EMYK) announced that Japan Butyl Co. Ltd. (JBC) will
expand the capacity of its halobutyl rubber manufacturing plant at Kashima to
80,000 tons per year. The expansion is planned to be completed in 2012.
“Demand for halobutyl rubber is expected to grow at about six percent per
year, mainly in the Asia Pacific region,” said John Lyon, vice president, butyl
polymers, ExxonMobil Chemical Company. “The expansion by our affiliate’s joint
venture at Kashima will add 10,000 tons per year of capacity in the region. This
aligns with ExxonMobil Chemical’s long-term commitment to meet industry demand.”
This is the second capacity expansion in five years at the Kashima halobutyl
rubber plant.
The JBC butyl polymers manufacturing plant at Kawasaki also completed a major
expansion in 2010 to bring its total capacity to 98,000 tons per year. That
expansion incorporated ExxonMobil proprietary technology that enables
significant energy savings. |