Polish chemical company SYNTHOS S.A. has begun construction on a new production line for advanced SSBR rubber, with the project costing PLN 568m ($150m), of which PLN 147m will be co-financed by EU funds. The new line will produce 90,000 tonnes of SSBR rubber per year, which is used in the manufacture of high-performance tyres. The project is expected to create at least 162 new jobs and strengthen SYNTHOS' competitive advantage in global markets.
SYNTHOS S.A. kicks off the construction project of a new production line for advanced SSBR rubber. The cost of the project is PLN 568 M (about €135M), of which PN 147 M (about €35M) will be co-financed by the EU funds.
In June 2013 the foundation stone for the construction of the SSBR production line was laid. The ceremony was attended, among others, by Elżbieta Bieńkowska, the Minister of Regional Development, Marek Sowa, the Deputy Minister of Economy, the Marshall of Małopolskie Province and representatives of the self-government authorities.
The project aims to expand the company portfolio by introduction of new innovative SSBR rubber product to the market. This type of rubber will be produced with the technology acquired based on a license agreement with The Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company. Production capacity will be 90,000 tons per annum.
SSBR rubber based on this technology is used for the manufacture of modern winter and summer tires (so called “performance tires”). Tires made with this type of rubber, compared to those manufactured with the use of so called emulsion styrene butadiene rubber (E-SBR), are characterised by improved adhesion to road surface (also when wet) and allow improved fuel economy by reduced rolling resistance. Such properties significantly improve driving safety and comfort.
According to analyses, the market for such tires will develop much faster than that for the conventional ones, which results from the policy of energy conservation and CO2 emission reduction in developed countries, also in the EU Member States, which is reflected in the legislation for labelling of tires.
Moreover, SYNTHOS S.A. develops a proprietary research program for top quality SSBR rubber and other product groups. The Research and Development Centre for new technologies launched in 2010, and now expanded, helps to achieve that goal.
The project is also important for the economic development of Oświęcim and the neighbouring districts. Implementation of the project will create at least 162 new jobs, including at least 11 jobs in the R&D area.
The project implemented with the support of the EU funds will also allow further benefits. The most significant will be the strengthening of the competitive advantage of Synthos Capital Group in the worldwide markets, by introduction of innovative technology on a global scale which, in turn, allows considerable increase of the volume and value of exported goods.