China: The Hainan-based subsidiary of China Petroleum & Chemical Corp., Hainan Baling Chemical New Material Co., Ltd., has announced the launch of its latest project focused on the production of Styrene-Butadiene Copolymer (SBC) in Hainan, China. With an annual capacity of 170,000 tons, this project marks Sinopec as the world's largest producer of SBC plants. Sinopec Hainan Refining & Chemical Co., Ltd and Baling New Material invested 1.924 billion yuan/$279.74 million in the project.

The SBC plant aims to produce 120,000 tons of SBS products and 50,000 SEBS products each year, totalling 170,000 tons. The plant consists of a total of 13 units, incorporating refining, polymerization, coalescence, recycling, auxiliaries' preparation, post-treatment, in addition to supporting production and public facilities.

According to a recent report, Thermoplastic Elastomer (TPE) copolymers possess the ability to be plasticized at high temperatures and provide rubber elasticity at room temperature. One of the types of TPE, namely Styrene Block Copolymer (SBC), comprises widely used products like SBS, SEBS, SIS, and SEPS, which find their applications in diverse areas, here are examples of items that include shoes, asphalt, adhesives, food packaging, automotives, and consumer electronics.

The report further highlights a project that effectively utilizes Sinopec's self-developed SBS and SEBS full solution sets. This revolutionary project aims to employ a clean manufacturing method that can create SBCs of varying grades and performances, catering to customers' specific product customization requirements.

By collaborating with Hainan Refining & Chemical and utilizing Baling New Material's innovative technologies, the Hainan Free Trade Port is cutting down on costs for raw materials and transportation. Additionally, this collaboration is allowing for the expansion of the industrial chain, leading to an optimization of revenue. The ultimate objective is to export SBC goods to various developing markets across Europe, Southeast Asia, and South Asia.

Sinopec, with over five decades invested in advanced synthetic rubber R&D in China, has set the pace for other companies in the country. Breaking new ground as far back as the 1970s, Yanshan Petrochemical Research Institute created butyllithium preparation and SBS polymerization systems. Sinopec is a pioneer in the production of novel SEPS products and the only Chinese company with this capability among three global firms. Notably, Baling New Material's SEPS facility, boasting an impressive 20,000-ton yearly production capacity, went into operation in August 2017.

Sinopec proudly declared that with their cutting-edge SBC technologies and original intellectual property rights, they have achieved a remarkable feat, positioning themselves at the forefront of SBC technology and product development throughout the globe.