SHANGHAI (March 28, 11 a.m. ET) — Kraton Performance Polymers Inc. said its Asian growth projects are progressing.
The once delayed project to build a 30,000-metric-ton-per-year hydrogenated styrenic block copolymer factory in Mailiao, Taiwan, is ongoing and expected to go on line in the first half of 2014, Kraton said. The company is forming a 50-50 joint venture with Formosa Petrochemical Corp. to build and operation the plant.
Last year Kraton expanded its Cariflex isoprene rubber latex capacity to support the continued growth in demand for those projects. Kraton said it also has signed a contract with an unnamed manufacturing provider in Japan, which will result in a doubling of Cariflex latex manufacturing capacity in Japan by mid-2013.
