ExxonMobil (Baytown, Texas / USA; www.exxonmobil.com) plans to lift output of its “Santoprene” thermoplastic vulcanizates (TPVs) at its facility in Newport / UK. The company did not provide any details on investment cost or capacities, saying merely that once the additional output is brought on stream, it will increase its total global TPV capacity by 25%. The expansion is due to be completed by the end of next year.

ExxonMobil purports to be the leading global provider of engineered thermoplastic elastomers and says the investment will help strengthen its leadership position. Santoprene elastomers are used in a variety of applications, ranging from healthcare devices to automotive components. The material performs like vulcanised rubber and can be either extruded, moulded or thermoformed. It is characterised by resilience, flexibility and resistance to heat, fluids and chemicals, the company said.

In March this year the US group entered into an agreement with Biesterfeld Simko Distribuição (São Paulo / Brazil) for the distribution of Santoprene in Brazil (see Plasteurope.com of 14.03.2016).