DL Chemical Unveils World's Largest Polyisoprene Latex Plant in Singapore

DL Chemical has officially announced the completion and start of commercial operations at its new Cariflex plant on Jurong Island, Singapore. This marks a key milestone in the company’s strategic efforts to expand its footprint in the medical materials sector. The announcement, made on November 11, underscores DL Chemical's achievement of becoming the global leader in the polyisoprene latex market.

The new facility, which was built with an investment of 480 billion won, covers a 61,000? site within the Jurong Island chemical complex. It is now the world’s largest polyisoprene latex plant, producing the essential material used in manufacturing surgical gloves. This plant will play a crucial role in supporting the growing global demand for high-quality medical products. DL Chemical’s acquisition of Cariflex in 2020 for 620 billion won further positions the company as a dominant player in the industry. Cariflex is the only company globally capable of producing anionic catalyst-based synthetic rubber and latex, a material recognized for its exceptional purity and transparency.

The establishment of this plant is a direct response to the increasing global need for premium medical materials. DL Chemical has stated that the new facility will serve as a cornerstone for expanding its medical materials business and driving future investments. Plans are already in progress to enhance the plant’s capabilities and expand production capacity, ensuring that DL Chemical can meet the rising demand in the healthcare sector.

A company representative commented, “The successful operation of the Cariflex plant in Singapore has helped us solidify our position as the global leader in the medical materials market.” The official added, “We will continue to accelerate our transition toward a high-value, specialty business model, focusing on premium products that cater to the healthcare and other high-demand industries.”

The strategic location of the plant on Jurong Island provides significant logistical advantages. As one of Singapore's primary industrial hubs, the island offers superior infrastructure and is ideally situated near key Asian markets. This makes it an optimal site for DL Chemical’s operations, aligning with the company’s long-term strategy of moving from traditional commodity chemicals to more specialized, high-margin products.

With this new Cariflex plant, DL Chemical is poised to play a leading role in the global medical materials market, bolstering its commitment to innovation, quality, and sustainability. This investment reinforces the company’s vision of becoming a top-tier supplier of specialty materials and further strengthens its presence in the healthcare industry.