Kraton feels effects of isoprene shortage

Houston, Texas -- Kraton Polymers LLC says customers of isoprene-based products may be affected by a shortage of the monomer due to the after-effects of the Hurricanes in the US Gulf coast.

In a statemen, the comapny said, "We are currently anticipating that we will be able to serve customers as planned, with limitations only applying to our isoprene-based products; We see further tightening of both primary and secondary raw material supply, translating into increased cost proportional to the prevailing markets."

The company continued, "Delivery capabilities have been impacted by the current nationwide freight availability issue."

In conclusion, David Bradley, Vice President of Operations said, "Our plants are currently producing in line with our supply plan that was developed prior to the recent hurricanes. Outside of tightly constrained isoprene products, we anticipate that we will be able to meet our customer needs,"

Kraton Polymers is a specialty chemicals company and is the world's largest producer of styrenic block copolymers (SBCs),based on styrene, isoprene and other monomers. it sells styrene-isoprene-styrene (SIS) block copolymer materials under the Kraton name.