TOKYO—Tosoh Corp., a Japanese chemical and specialty materials manufacturer, said it is considering building a factory to produce chlorosulfonated polyethylene.
The Japanese-based company said it is exploring where the plant might be constructed, access to raw materials and potential cost. It said it is considering building the facility overseas as well as at its Yokkaichi Complex in Japan.
The facility would be the company’s second such facility built within five years.
Chlorosulfonated polyethylene is a synthetic rubber that offers superior resistance to heat and ozone as well as to acids and alkalis, Tosoh said.
Tosoh said it is the largest producers of high quality CSM, producing it under the TOSO-CSM bran since 2010, when Dupont Performance Elastomers stopped manufacturing its Hypalon brand of CSM.
Tosoh increased its annual CSM production capacity from 4,500 metric tons to 9,500 metric tons, supplying customers in industries such as adhesives, automotive parts, industrial hoses and roll covers.
Tosoh estimates that the Japan, U.S. and European market will grow over the next five years, as 80 percent of Tosoh’s CSM sales are in Europe and the U.S.
The company is researching and developing new grades and applications for the material, such as adhesives for various materials such as second generation acrylic adhesives.
Tosoh said the consideration of a second factory is in response to future demand and development as well as to customer concerns over a stable supply. The company said it maintains a three-month stock supply and operates seven warehouses across the world.
– Rubber News
