Mitsui Chemicals has started commercial operations at its new Tafmer polyolefin elastomers (POE) plant on Jurong Island, Singapore, the Japanese company has announced.

The facility, rated at 120 kilotonnes per annum (ktpa), started operation in April, said chief commercial officer Yoshida Osamu in a 13 May full-year earnings call.

However, Yoshida said the company is currently limiting operating rates because "olefin procurement in Singapore has been constrained due to the impact of the Middle East conflict". Mitsui has also been reshaping its Tafmer sales mix toward higher-value applications.

During fiscal 2025, Yoshida said the company reduced exposure to solar-cell encapsulant applications and promoted sales into "differentiated areas". These included high-performance packaging materials, engineering plastics, footwear and automotive applications.