Arlanxeo and TSRC have inaugurated their newly relocated and expanded joint venture nitrile-butadiene rubber (NBR) plant in Nantong, in the Chinese province of Jiangsu.

The new plant produces a broader portfolio of NBR products with designed capacity increased from 30 kilotonnes per annum (ktpa) to 40ktpa, Arlanxeo said.

The facility will support the long-term growth in market demand in China and strengthen global NBR supply chain, it added.

The two companies announced plans to relocated production in late 2021, stating that it was aligned with the local environment protection agenda along the Yangtze River.

The Arlanxeo-TSRC (Nantong) Chemical Industrial Co. Ltd was established in 2010 to supply NBR materials for applications in mobility, industry and other sectors.

In addition to expanding capacity at the new production site, the two companies have also added the production of Perbunan branded materials at the Nantong site.

Perbunan, according to Arlanxeo, is a fast cure NBR grade suited for applications in automotive, aviation, oil and gas, food contact materials.

The site will also continue producing Krynac and Taipol branded NBR products.