ExxonMobil Chemical Co. recently broke ground on two new specialty polymer units at its chemical plant in Singapore. The ceremony marks the beginning of construction on new halobutyl rubber and hydrogenated hydrocarbon resin production facilities.
“Our expanded steam cracking capability at Singapore provides a platform for growth through a wide range of petrochemical building blocks that can be further upgraded to specialty products, such as halobutyl rubber and adhesive resins,” said Neil Chapman, senior vice president, ExxonMobil Chemical Co.
Construction of the new units is expected to be completed in 2017. The expansion will increase halobutyl rubber capacity by 140,000 tons a year, according to ExxonMobil. Additionally, the new hydrogenated hydrocarbon resin production unit will be the world’s largest, with a capacity of 90,000 tons per year, ExxonMobil said.
ExxonMobil is a major supplier of halobutyl rubber for the global tire industry.
