- Production will cease in Q2 2023 due to high utility costs and geopolitical issues.
- Annual ESBR capacity will drop from 430,000 to 320,000 tonnes.
- E-SBR production has been reduced since September 2022.
- Other rubber types will continue production in Poland and Germany.
Production Halt
Synthos announced it will cease production of emulsion styrene butadiene rubber (ESBR) at its Kralupy plant in the Czech Republic in the second quarter of 2023. The decision is driven by unpredictable utility costs and an unsustainable market environment for ESBR in Europe, exacerbated by the geopolitical situation and the Russian invasion of Ukraine.
Capacity Reduction
As a result of this decision, Synthos will reduce its annual ESBR capacity from 430,000 tonnes to 320,000 tonnes. Despite this reduction, the company will remain the largest producer of ESBR in Europe. The Kralupy plant has a nameplate capacity of 110,000 tonnes of ESBR, and production has already been reduced since September 2022 for commercial reasons.
Continued Production
Synthos will continue to produce other types of rubber, including solution styrene butadiene rubber (S-SBR), butadiene rubber (BR), acrylonitrile butadiene rubber (NBR), and high styrene rubber (HSR) at its manufacturing sites in Poland and Germany. Additionally, butadiene rubber (BR) production will continue at the Kralupy plant.
