Kraton Performance Polymers Inc. recently announced that it plans to expand hydrogenated styrenic block copolymer (HSBC) manufacturing capability in Asia on a stand-alone basis. Locations in the region, including those in China that were identified during the company’s site selection process conducted in 2010 and early 2011, will reportedly be the primary areas of focus.
Kraton did not extend the previously announced Framework Agreement between the company and Formosa Petrochemical Corp., which has expired. The expired agreement had governed the formation of a proposed 50/50 joint venture to build, own and operate a 30 kiloton HSBC plant at FPCC’s petrochemical site in Mailiao, Taiwan.