Sibur adding 50ktpa TPE capacity at Voronezh site

Voronezh, Russia – Sibur is increasing production of  styrenic copolymer-based thermoplastic elastomers (TPE) at its Voronezh production site, by 50 kilotonnes per annum (ktpa), the company announced 17 Sept.

Sibur did not disclose a timeline for the TPE project or the investment amount, though the company has previously invested  around €60 million for a 50ktpa capacity-expansion.

The company, which currently produces 85 ktpa of TPEs at Voronezh, said it will employ “cutting-edge technologies”, including for environmental-protection measures and in the construction of the new facilities.

As part of the project, the range of grades applied in roofing and road construction will be expanded while new grades for compounds and adhesives will be added. Products will go to both domestic and international markets.

Applications will include polymer-bitumen binders, which can more than double road-pavement life up to around 10 years, the company noted.

“With new capacities to be put on stream, Sibur will be able to fully meet the prospective domestic [demand]," said Pavel Lyakhovich, Sibur's managing director.

"On top of that, we will keep tapping into the European TPE market, with new grades set to boost our export potential,” added Lyakhovich.

The company went on to note that it is 'continuing to decommission ageing equipment and facilities at Voronezh.

Sibur has recently discontinued latex production and reduced the number of rubber production lines at the site..

Vacated space is being used for the installation of new equipment and set up "advanced eco-friendly production," said the statement.