Lanxess AG plans butyl rubber plant in Singapore

To meet the rising demand for butyl rubber for the tyre industry, Lanxess AG, one of the world’s biggest manufacturers of synthetic rubber, has begun construction of its new butyl rubber plant in Singapore. When fully operational in 2013, the 200,000 square metre plant will have an annual capacity of 100,000 tonnes and employ 200 people.

By then, about 3,500 tonnes of steel, 350km of cabling and 80km of piping would have been used.

Butyl rubber is a synthetic rubber characterised by high impermeability to air due to the properties of its constituent materials such as isobutene and isoprene. A major application is in the manufacture of inner liners – the innermost layer of a tubeless tyre that prevents air from escaping – and inner tubes.

The tyre industry uses halo butyl to make inner liners for car, truck, bus and aircraft tyres. Butyl rubber is used in tyre inner tubes for cars, trucks, bikes and for balls used in various sports. The upcoming unit on Jurong island is being built at a cost of Euro 400 million.

About 15 percent of the investment has been earmarked for environmental protection projects. The ground-breaking ceremony was attended by the trade and industry minister of Singapore, Lim Hng Kiang along with the chairman of the board of management of Lanxess AG, Axel C Heitmann and other Lanxess officials. Heitmann says, “In terms of volume, this investment is the largest in our five-year history and underlines our commitment to synthetic rubber as well as to our customers in Asia.”

The butyl rubber market is expected to grow at three percent in the next few years and Heitmann says he is confident of Lanxess’ growth prospects in Asia.