Zeon Chemicals expands capacity for Zetpol HNBR
Z eon Chemicals Lp, a wholly owned subsidiary of Zeon Corp of Tokyo, Japan, is increasing production capacity at its facility based in Houston, Texas, USA, for Zetpol hydrogenated nitrile butadiene rubber (HNBR).
Continued strong demand for elastomers has led to the need for further expansion of the manufacturing facility that produces this high-performance polymer, says the firm. The work, which will increase the plant's production capacity by 25%, is scheduled to be completed during the first quarter of 2012.
A previous expansion of this facility, which increased production by 10%, was completed in 2010, but more of this material is needed as the Zetpol business continues to grow worldwide to include applications in the transportation, and oilfield exploration and production sectors.
Zetpol provides excellent resistance to automotive fluids, fuels and high temperatures over the long-term, says the company.
In other, unrelated, news, Zeon Corp has announced that it has established a 100% owned subsidiary in Seoul, South Korea. Korea is an important growth market for the company, and Zeon Korea Co Ltd will be responsible for all of its business within the country, and will also provide support to the Korean market.