Decision reflects "long-term, strategic view of the synthetic rubber business".
Dow Europe is planning to close its cobalt-catalysed polybutadiene rubber (Co-PBR) assets located in Berre L'Etang, France.
The plant,which according to IISRP (International Institute of Synthetic Rubber Producers) has a capacity of 45 kilotonnes per annum, is operated by Shell Petrochimie Mediterranee SAS.
In a 29 February statement, Craig Arnold, global business director for Dow Europe Synthetic Europe said: "We made this decision after taking a long-term, strategic view of the synthetic rubber business."
He added: "We decided to re-direct our technical resources and investments to businesses where Dow can achieve an advantaged cost position and increase our share of differentiated products."
Co-PBR is used in tyre tread and sidewall compounds, conveyor belts, footwear, golf balls and for a variety of mechanical goods.
Dow Europe manufactures lithium-catalysed BR, which is used predominantly to manufacture high-impact polystyrene (HIPS) or ABS, and nickel-catalysed BR, which is used in the manufacture of tyres and footwear. it does not make neodymium-catalysed BR which is used in low-rolling resistance tyres.
Simona Stankovska is a journalist at European Rubber Journal, a sister title of PRW and EPN.
Dow Europe is planning to close its cobalt-catalysed polybutadiene rubber (Co-PBR) assets located in Berre L'Etang, France.
The plant,which according to IISRP (International Institute of Synthetic Rubber Producers) has a capacity of 45 kilotonnes per annum, is operated by Shell Petrochimie Mediterranee SAS.
In a 29 February statement, Craig Arnold, global business director for Dow Europe Synthetic Europe said: "We made this decision after taking a long-term, strategic view of the synthetic rubber business."
He added: "We decided to re-direct our technical resources and investments to businesses where Dow can achieve an advantaged cost position and increase our share of differentiated products."
Co-PBR is used in tyre tread and sidewall compounds, conveyor belts, footwear, golf balls and for a variety of mechanical goods.
Dow Europe manufactures lithium-catalysed BR, which is used predominantly to manufacture high-impact polystyrene (HIPS) or ABS, and nickel-catalysed BR, which is used in the manufacture of tyres and footwear. it does not make neodymium-catalysed BR which is used in low-rolling resistance tyres.
Simona Stankovska is a journalist at European Rubber Journal, a sister title of PRW and EPN.
